Effect of Carboxy Methyl Chitosan on Experimental Osteoarthritis in a Rabbit Knee: Carboxy methyl chitosan vs. Hyaluronan / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effect on carboxy methyl chitosan on the articular cartilage of an osteoarthritic knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The biological effect of chitosan on the osteoarthritic articular cartilage was compared with hyaluronan, which is one of the treatment modalities for an osteoarthritic knee. Chitosan or hyaluronan were injected into the intraarticular space of the experimental osteoarthritic knee of a rabbit with a transected anterior cruciate ligament at weekly intervals for 5 weeks, and the articular cartilage and synovium were obtained. Nine weeks later, the specimens were analyzed by their gross findings, histological examinations, and histo-morphometric studies. RESULTS: The hyaluronan and chitosan group showed less severe osteoarthritic changes than the control group. Although the hyaluronan group showed less severe osteoarthiricic changes than the chitosan group, there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Carboxy methyl chitosan, which has an excellent affinity to the body, appeared to have an positive effect on delaying the progress of cartilage degeneration.