RESUMO
Objective To study nano-structured porous polycaprolactone combined with bone marrow stromal cells on CTGF expression in rabbit impaired cartilage. Methods 50 rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, model group, NSP-PCL group, BMSCs group, or NSP-PCL + BMSCs group. A model of rabbit impaired cartilage was surgically established. Then NSP-PCL, BMSCs, and NSP-PCL + BMSCs were separately administered to the latter three groups once a week from the 2nd week to the 5th week after the procedure. The impaired cartilage tissues were collected 24 h after the last administration. The cartilage tissues were pathologically examined by H & E staining. Number of surviving BMSCs was detected by Hoeehst33342 Markers 1 week and 3 weeks after transplantation. Levels of CTGF protein in cartilage were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results In the model group, cartilage layer became thinner, with proliferation of fibroblast cells and a obvious cartilage surface hollow; New cartilage cells appeared in the surface hollow of the impaired cartilage in each treatemnt group, with a thicker layer. The number of transplanted BMSCs after 3 weeks was significantly increased in BMSCs group and NSP-PCL + BMSCs group. As compared with the model group, levels of CTGF protein were increased in each treatment group, with significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusions Nano-porous polycaprolactone combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can repair cartilage damage by enhancing the expression of CTGF protein.