Degradable natural polymer hydrogels in articular cartilage repair：safety and effectiveness assessment / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

Polymer hydrogels composed of highly hydrated crosslinked network mimic the composites of the cartilage extracelular matrix and are embedded with articular chondrocytes not only to support chondrocytes growth but also to promote chondrocytes proliferation and division which wil induce the cartilage regeneration and repair. OBJECTIVE:To review several kinds of natural polymer hydrogels and their newest progress and achievements. METHODS:Relative literatures from January 1994 to July 2013 were classified and analyzed by searching the databases through PubMed, Springer, Sciencedirect and Ovid databases using the keywords of “natural polymers, biodegradable polymers, hydrogel scaffold, articular cartilage, regeneration”.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Natural proteins (colagen, gelatin) and polysaccharides (chitosan, hyaluronic acid) are widely used as natural polymer hydrogels. The natural polymer hydrogels have not only the physical characters beneficial to articular cartilage regeneration, but also the important biological parameters, such as biocompatibility, low immunological response, low cytotoxicity and degradation. Meanwhile, the polymer hydrogels with natural origin can promote celladhesion, proliferation and division, and enhance the regeneration of new tissue. Moreover, they also can serve as carriers to sustain the release of drugs and growth factors. Al in al, natural polymer hydrogels have a potential application in articular cartilage regeneration and repair.