Combination of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Cartilage Pellet and Bioscaffold Supported Cartilage Regeneration of a Full Thickness Articular Surface Defect in Rabbits

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or biological scaffolds have been used to regenerate articular cartilage with variable success. In the present study we evaluated cartilage regeneration using a combination of bone marrow (BM)-MSCs, Hyalofast™ and/or native cartilage tissue following full thickness surgical cartilage defect in rabbits. METHODS: Full-thickness surgical ablation of the medial-tibial cartilage was performed in New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. Control rabbits (Group-I) received no treatment; Animals in other groups were treated as follows. Group-II: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + Hyalofast™; Group-III: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + cartilage pellet (CP); and Group-IV: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + Hyalofast™+ CP. Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks and cartilage regeneration analyzed using histopathology, International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS-II) score, magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score and biomechanical studies. RESULTS: Gross images showed good tissue repair (Groups IV>III>Group II) and histology demonstrated intact superficial layer, normal chondrocyte arrangement, tidemark and cartilage matrix staining (Groups III and IV) compared to the untreated control (Group I) respectively. ICRS-II score was 52.5, 65.0, 66 and 75% (Groups I–IV) and the MOCART score was 50.0, 73.75 and 76.25 (Groups II–IV) respectively. Biomechanical properties of the regenerated cartilage tissue in Group IV closed resembled that of a normal cartilage. CONCLUSION: Hyalofast™ together with BM-MSCs and CP led to efficient cartilage regeneration following full thickness surgical ablation of tibial articular cartilage in vivo in rabbits. Presence of hyaluronic acid in the scaffold and native microenvironment cues probably facilitated differentiation and integration of BM-MSCs.

Estimation of Serum Folate and Homocysteine Levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis-A Prospective Study

Aim & Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of serum folate and homocysteine in clinical stages of Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) patients. Methodology The study sample comprised of 40 clinically and histopathologically diagnosed OSF patients those who are not undergoing treatment and 10 healthy controls. OSF was categorised by clinical staging. Serum foliate and homocysteine levels estimation was done by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis unit and chemiluminescence immuno assay, respectively. Results were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA [Analysis of variance]. Results Irrespective of age and gender, serum folate deficiency and high levels of homocysteine were noted in OSF patients when compared with healthy controls. Conclusion Serum hyper homocysteinemia and folate deficiency were noted with the progression of the disease. Folate supplements can be given to decrease the levels of homocysteine, to arrest the progression of the disease. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to establish an association between serum homocysteine and serum folate.

Polystotic Fibrous Dysplasia - A case report.

Fibrous dysplasia, a benign fibro osseous condition involving one or more bones of the cranial and extra cranial skeleton, consists of non-encapsulated lesion which shows replacement of a normal bone by cellular fibrous tissue containing islands of metastatic bone (Edwards 1984). It has been classified by W.H.O. as developmental in origin. Fibrous dysplasia of bone is one of the most perplexing diseases of the osseous tissue. It is a lesion of unknown etiology, uncertain pathogenesis and diverse histopathology. A case report of fibrous dysplasia is presented here and discussed in detail.

Changes in IOP and HIstopathology Following Contact Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation with Diode Laser in High Tension Rabbit Eyes

We evaluated the acute and long term intraocular pressure(IOP) lowering effect of diode laser contact transscleral cyclophotocoagulation by applying G probe to argon laser induced high tension pigmented rabbits through the changes in IOP and histopathology. Eighteen eyes of 18 high tension pigmented rabbits were treated with diode laser contact transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (24-30 application) 0.5mm posterior to the limbus over 360degrees and the other eyes were used as controls. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups according to the energy levels of diode laser (1st group; 0.8J of energy, 2nd; 1.0J of energy, and 3rd; 1.2J of energy). There were mean decrease in IOP of 24.4%, 38.4%, and 38.7% in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd groups respectively during 5 weeks after tratment (p<0.05). After treatment, microendoscopic findings of the ciliary body revealed blenching in 1.0 and 1.2J groups. Light microscopy 1 day after treatment revealed coagulation necrosis of the pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelium, congestion of vessels, thrombosis, and pigment dispersion in all energy groups, with destruction increasing in relation to power. Five weeks after treatment, atrophy and fibrosis of the ciliary nonpigmented and pigmented epithelium and stroma were observed in all groups.