Histopathological Assessment of the Regenerative Effect of Autogenous Platelet Rich Plasma Gel on Healing in Large osteochondral Defects in Rabbit Models
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.02.19Keywords:
Rabbits, osteochondral defect, Transplantation, PRPAbstract
BACKGROUND: The repair of articular cartilage defects is particularly challenging because of cartilage’s hypocellularity and insufficient nutrient supply, and the inability of bone marrow stem cells or resident chondroprogenitor cells to form hyaline cartilage. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of platelet rich plasma gel implants for the regeneration of cartilage defects in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under general anesthesia and aseptic conditions were established, twenty-four healthy male rabbits were used. All rabbits will be carrying out to arthrotomy on the right-hand limbs, a full-thickness cartilage defect (4 mm in diameter, 3 mm in depth) was created in the center of the middle of the trochlear groove, immediately after drilling the defect was rinsed with a saline solution. Depending on the way of the treatment, the animals were divided Twenty-four healthy adult rabbits took part in the study. They were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, with six rabbits in each group. The cartilage defect was treated with 1ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as control group, in PRP group was treated with pressed fitted with PRP-gel implants. RESULTS: The outcome was assessed macroscopically at 4th and 8th weeks post-surgery in control group showed (ICRS) scores which indicated fibrocartilaginous or fibrous repair in control defects that were improved in the PRP and further confirmed by higher Goebel scores. Although demonstrated at 8th weeks, significant differences (P≤0.05) in PRP compare than those in control groups. CONCLUSIONS: we developed PRP with minimal deteriorative effects on the composition and functional characteristics and potential effective in advancing the formation of cartilage-like tissue for repairing cartilage defect through adhere, proliferate, and secrete extracellular matrix. histopathological examinations demonstrated the gap filled with mature fibrous connective tissue and no obvious cartilaginous extracellular matrix was identified by safranin O staining in control group at 8th weeks after surgery. However, that better filling with hyaline like cartilage of the defect relative to the surface of normal adjacent cartilage, better integration of repair tissue with surrounding articular cartilage and matrix staining with safranin O fast green in the PRP groups than in those with control group.
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