A Preliminary Study Comparing Microfracture and Local Adherent Transplantation of Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Followed by Intraarticular Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Chondral Defects in Rabbits

• Published in: Cartilage Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 410 - 416
• Main Authors: Spakova, Timea, Amrichova, Judita, Plsikova, Jana, Harvanova, Denisa, Hornak, Slavomir, Ledecky, Valent, Rosocha, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-10-2018
• Subjects: Basic Science; adipose-derived stem cells; microfracture; platelet-rich plasma; chondral defect
• ISSN: 1947-6035; 1947-6043
• DOI: 10.1177/1947603517713816

Objective
This study aimed to compare microfracture and application of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by local adherent technique enhanced by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to provide a new approach for the repair of cartilage defect.
Design
Full-thickness cylindrical defects were created in the medial femoral condyle in 9 New Zealand White rabbits (5 months old, 4.65 ± 0.20 kg). Two groups of rabbits (n = 3) were either treated with ADSCs (Group 1) or the microfracture technique (Group 2) following intraarticular injection of PRP 3 times in weekly intervals. Rabbits in control group (n = 3) remained untreated. The outcome was assessed macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically.
Results
At the end of week 12, Group 1 showed better defect filling compared with Group 2. Specimens treated with the combination of ADSCs and PRP exhibited significant differences from the other groups in all criteria of International Cartilage Repair Society macroscopic scoring system.
Conclusions
Intraarticular injection of autologous PRP in combination with transplantation of autologous ADSCs by local adherent technique enhances the quality of cartilage defect repair with better results in comparison with microfracture surgery in a rabbit model.