Articular Cartilage Regeneration Utilizing Decellularized Human Placental Scaffold, Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet Rich Plasma

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND@#Articular cartilage repair has been a challenge in orthopedic practice due to the limited self-regenerative capability. Optimal treatment method for cartilage defects has not been defined. We investigated the effect of decellularized human placental (DHP) scaffold, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on hyaline cartilage regeneration in a rat model. @*METHODS@#An osteochondral defect was created in trochlea region of the femur in all groups, bilaterally. No additional procedure was performed in control group (n = 14). Only the DHP scaffold was applied to the P group (n = 14). The DHP scaffold and 1 x 106 MSCs were applied to the PS group (n = 14). The DHP scaffold and PRP were applied to the PP group (n= 14). The DHP scaffold, 1 x 106 MSCs and PRP were applied to the PSP group (n = 14). Outcome measures at 12 weeks included Pineda histology score and qualitative histology. @*Results@#The mean Pineda scores of P, PS, PP, and PSP groups were significantly better than the control group (p = 0.031, p = 0.002, p  0.05). @*Conclusion@#In conclusion, the DHP scaffold appears to be a promising scaffold on hyaline cartilage regeneration. The augmentation of DHP scaffold with MSCs and PRP combinations did not enhance its efficacy on articular cartilage regeneration.