Pulp deciduous tooth human stem cells in injury of rabbit's cartilage

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the world and age is the most powerful risk factor for osteoarthritis. During the early stages of osteoarthritis, localized lesioning of the articular cartilage layer is a characteristic occurrence. Once initiated, this lesioning process is progressive, and no prophylactic measures are at hand to arrest it. Stem cells have shown to play an important role in the healing potential of the cartilage defect due to their chondrogenic potential in nature. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) could be used as a scaffold and a practical tool to enhance the growth of low proliferative and, thus, valuable primary cells used in regenerative medicine. This study aims to evaluate the capacity of dental pulp stem cells in a PRP scaffold to regenerate full thickness cartilage defects in rabbits. Full-thickness cartilage defects (5 mm in diameter, 5 mm in depth) will be created in the patellar groove of 30 Skeletally mature New Zealand rabbits (60 knees). Three experimental groups will be studied: group A (critical defect group) will not be given any additional treatment; group B (PRPgroup) the defect will be filled with PRP and group C in which the defect will be filled with stem cells in PRP scaffold, 3 animals will be the control group and will not be submitted to any intervention. The animals will be euthanized at 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. The type and degree of integration of reparative tissue will be evaluated grossly, histologically, and biochemically according to a semiquantitative scoring system. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies will be performed for type I collagen and for type II collagen. (AU)