title: Biodegradable gelatin hydrogels incorporating fibroblast growth factor 2 promote healing of horizontal tears in rabbit meniscus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo effects of gelatin hydrogels (GHs) incorporating fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) on meniscus repair in a rabbit model.
  
  
  METHODS
  FGF-2 was biologically stabilized by incorporation into GHs. This system enables FGF-2 to be released with its biologic activity intact. A total of 64 skeletally mature female Japanese white rabbits were used. A horizontal tear was made in the medial meniscus, and these tears were divided into 4 groups: GH-FGF, GH-no FGF, FGF (FGF-2 alone), and no treatment. The meniscus was evaluated histologically at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. Cell density and the percentages of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells were measured, and a scoring system ranging from 5 points (complete healing) to 0 points (no evidence of healing) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell density was significantly higher in the GH-FGF group than in the other 3 groups at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks (P < .01). The percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells was significantly higher whereas the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells was significantly lower in the GH-FGF group at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery (P < .05). At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, healing scores were significantly higher in the GH-FGF group (2.5 points, 2.7 points, and 3.0 points, respectively) than in the GH-no FGF group (1.3 points, 1.4 points, and 2.0 points, respectively) (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GHs incorporating FGF-2 significantly stimulated proliferation and inhibited the death of meniscal cells until 4 weeks, thereby increasing meniscal cell density and enhancing meniscal repair in a rabbit model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GHs incorporating FGF-2 are able to enhance the healing of meniscal injury.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. anarita@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Narita
authors: Masatoshi
authors: M
authors: Takahara
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Sato
authors: Toshihiko
authors: T
authors: Ogino
authors: Shigenobu
authors: S
authors: Fukushima
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Kimura
authors: Yasuhiko
authors: Y
authors: Tabata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002452:Cell Count; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005780:Gelatin; D020100:Hydrogels; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D005780:Gelatin