The Effect Of Cartilage-derived Growth Factor (CDGF) On The Healing Of Articular Cartilage Defects

Objective: To investigate the effect of Cartilage-derived Growth Factor (CDGF) on the healing of articular cartilage defects in adult New Zealand white rabbits. Methods: Cylindrical, full-thickness articular cartilage defects of 3. 5mm in diameter were produced in the knee joints of 27 rabbits. The defect was either left empty, filled with Pluronic F-127, or CDGF/ Pluronic F-127. The animals were killed at 4, Sand 16 weeks postoperatively, and the defects were examined grossly and microscopically . The sections were evaluated blindly with use of a histological grading scale made by Wakitani et al. The shape of chondrocytes, collagen in the defects were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) .Results: Treatment with CDGF greatly improved the histological appearance of the overlying articular surface. The average total scores on the histological grading scale was significantly better (p<0. 01) for the defects treated with CDGF than for the untreated defects ( those left empty or filled with Pluronic) at all time-points. The mature hyaline chondrocytes were found with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Conclusion: CDGF can effectively facilitate the repair ofarticular cartilage defects. Pluronic can be seemed as a safe and effective carrier of CDGF. The experiment may provide a new nontraumatic method for the treatment of articular cartilage defects.