[Results of the experimental repair of osteochondral lesions in a pig model using tissue engineering].
OBJECTIVE
To repair experimental osteochondral knee lesions in pigs using tissue engineering.


METHODS
Eight 40-kg pigs underwent surgery. Cartilage and periosteal biopsies of their control knee were taken. Cartilage and periosteal cells were independently isolated, cultured and seeded in biodegradable PGA and PLA polymers that were fixed on the bottom of an osteochondral defect in the pig's experimental knee, with bioabsorbable Mitek implants. Four months later the pigs were sacrificed and the knees were analyzed with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), macroscopic assessment, histology, electron microscopy (EM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM element analysis.


RESULTS
All the defects were filled with cartilage-like tissue according to the NMRI evaluation and the visual examination. Hyaline-like cartilage was obtained in 3 defects and fibrocartilage in 5. The EM showed chondrocytes in the repair tissue. The SEM showed appropriate integration to the bone and the surrounding tissue. SEM element analysis showed sulphurized matrix attached to the bone with calcium and phosphates as predominant elements.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue engineering enabled the production of tissues similar to normal ones. The polymer fixation system was effective.
Villalobos Córdoba
F Enrique
FE
Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación.
Velasquillo Martínez
Cristina
C
Martínez López
Valentín
V
Lecona Butrón
Hugo
H
Reyes Marín
Baltasar
B
Estrada Villaseñor
Eréndira
E
Villegas
Castrejón Hilda
CH
Solís Arrieta
Lilia
L
Espinosa Morales
Rolando
R
Ponce de León
Clemente Ibarra
CI
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016348:Osseointegration; D010521:Periosteum / Q000166:cytology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016062:Porosity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D034421:Sus scrofa; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014945:Wound Healing
D010710:Phosphates; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002118:Calcium