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01-12-2022 | Meniscal Injury | Research

Regeneration of meniscal avascular zone using autogenous meniscal fragments in a rabbit model

Authors: Yan Deng, Zuo-Ming Tong, Zhu Dai, Zhi-Wei Chen

Published in: BMC Surgery | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

To investigate the effects of autologous meniscus fragment (AMF) implantation on injury in the meniscal avascular zone in mature rabbits.

Methods

Adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Massive one-piece meniscus tissue was implanted in situ as control. In the experimental group, AMF was used to repair the meniscal injury in the avascular zone. Meniscal damage was assessed by gross observation of the degree of healing and histological semi-quantitative evaluation within 12 weeks postoperatively. The healing of meniscus interface was assessed by gross observation semiquantitative scoring and microscopic examination hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), collagen type I (COL1A1), and collagen type II (COL2) were detected by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The degree of healing in the AMF group showed a significant increase over time (P < 0.05); the AMF group showed higher gross scores than the control group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). The histological scores in the AMF group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). The protein expression of PCNA in the AMF group was greater than that in the control group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the protein levels of COL1A1 and COL2 were significantly upregulated at each time-point. At 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, the expression level of COL1A1 increased in both groups followed by a gradual decrease after 8 weeks (P < 0.05). At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, the expression levels of COL2 showed a gradual decrease in both groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the AMF method can promote the repair of rabbit meniscal injury in the avascular zone, and this method may potentially be used for clinical application.

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Title: Regeneration of meniscal avascular zone using autogenous meniscal fragments in a rabbit model
Authors: Yan Deng
Zuo-Ming Tong
Zhu Dai
Zhi-Wei Chen
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Meniscal Injury
Published in: BMC Surgery / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2482
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-022-01663-3

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Springer Medicine

Regeneration of meniscal avascular zone using autogenous meniscal fragments in a rabbit model

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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