ABSTRACT
[Objective]To study the repair of articular cartilage defects with combined bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)/basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)biomaterial in order to supply experimental basis for repairing cartilage defects biologically.[Method]Twenty-four 14-week-old rabbits were randomly divided into four groups,BMP/bFGF biomaterial gel(group A),BMP biomaterial gel(group B),bFGF biomaterial gel(group C)and simple fibrin glue treated group(group D).A couple of knees of each rabbit experienced 5 mm-diameter-full cartilage resection and drilling throuth of bone marrow.Gross appearance,histologicol section and electron microscope were axamined at 8,12,24 weeks after operation.[Result]In group A the cartilage defects were smoothly repaired by white translucent hard tissue at 8 and 12 weeks,and defect boundary was hard to be indentified with normal cartilage at 24 weks.No smooth repairing was observered in B,C and D groups.Group A got a better histological score than B,C and group D(P0.05).[Conclusion]Combined BMP/bFGF biomaterial is good for repair of articular cartilage defects and has better result than using BMP or bFGF alone.These results may provide a therapy for articular cartilage defects.
