ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The early damaged chondrocytes are susceptible to de-differentiate and exert unstable phenotype during the in vitro culture, thus needing some growth factors. OBJECTIVE:To observe the promotion effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 on the in vitro proliferation of chondrocytes in adult rabbits with traumatic arthritis. METHODS:Traumatic arthritis models of adult rabbits were established by using the modified Hulth method. After the models were successful y established, the distal femur and proximal tibia were harvested under sterile conditions, the chondrocytes were cultured. The cultured cells were divided into two groups:control group was cultured with Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum, while experimental group was cultured with Dulbecco's modified Eagle’s medium containing 100μg/L insulin-like growth factor 1. The effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 on the proliferation of chondrocytes in adult rabbits with traumatic arthritis was determined through the cytomorphology, cellcounting, and cellactivity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The chondrocytes in adult rabbits with traumatic arthritis were successful y cultured, the majority of cells were mini-cells, presenting smal fusiform, round or polygonal shape. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the number of cells in experimental group was higher than that in control group. MTT assay found that the absorbance of cells in experimental group was greater than that in control group (P<0.01). Our findings indicate that, insulin-like growth factor 1 can promote the in vitro proliferation of chondrocytes in adult rabbits with traumatic arthritis.