The effect of experimental trypsin on the regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage

ABSTRACT

There is evidence from other studies that some degree of cartilage healing may take place after the initiation of an inflammatory response. It is postulated that the induction of the platelet-cartilage interaction may eventuate in cartilage repair. The treatment of fresh articular cartilage with proteolytic enzymes rendered the tissue active as a platelet aggregant. During platelet aggregation a host of active substances are released which are known to play a role in the inflammatory response (Thompson 1975). This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of trypsin on the surface injury of rabbit hyaline cartilage. The results were as follows 1) Hyaline cell regeneration was observed only in the group treated with trypsin and blood; 2) Hyaline cartilage regeneration did not occur in the group treated with a single injection of trypsin or blood; 3) There was no significant damage to the healthy articular cartilage by the single injection of trypsin or blood, or both; and 4) Platelets do not adhere to cartilage and superficial damaged cartilage does not induce platelet aggregation.