title: VEGF, BMP-7, Matrigel(TM), hyaluronic acid, in vitro cultured chondrocytes and trephination for healing of the avascular portion of the meniscus. An experimental study in sheep.
abstract: To evaluate the effects of VEGF, BMP-7, Matrigel(TM), hyaluronic acid, in vitro cultured chondrocytes and trephination to promote and enhance the healing process of avascular meniscal tears in an animal model.
  
  
  
  A longitudinal tear was produced in the inner avascular part of the meniscus of 24 sheeps. Each tear was treated with trephination technique and suture. The animals were divided into 6 groups to receive a different treatment: control (I); VEGF, BMP-7, Matrigel(TM), hyaluronic acid, in vitro cultured chondrocytes. At 8 weeks from surgery, meniscal samples were explanted and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and histomorphometry.
  
  
  
  At the histological examination, Group IV and VI showed a partial closure of the meniscal lesion, whereas Group I, II, III, and V did not show any evidence of healing. In the group IV, the healed tissue represented the 22.95% of the lesion area. In the group VI, the healed tissue represented the 43.75% of the lesion area.
  
  
  
  Autologous chondrocytes and BMP-7 associated with trephination and suture techniques enhanced healing process of meniscal tears in the avascular inner third of the meniscus in ovine model.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forriol
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duart
authors.forename: Purification
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ripalda
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaquero
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loppini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campi
authors.forename: Wasim S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Andrea O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Muda
authors.affiliation: University Campus Bio- Medico of Rome, Italy. g.longo@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000637:transplantation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D012756:Sheep; D014207:Trephining; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C059485:matrigel; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen