Objective: To investigate the feasibility that a new Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) used as a scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering. Methods: Chondrocytes acquired from cartilage tissue of juvenile New Zealand white rabbit were proliferated. The chondro-cytes were seeded on the scaffold in experimental group. After cultured for two weeks in vitro, the complex was implanted under the skin of adult rabbit's back. Only the PHB scaffold without chondrocytes was implanted in control group. The surface of scaffold and the growing situation of chondrocytes were observed in the examination with scanning electron microscopy. The specimens were dissected and examined macroscopically and histologically after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. HE and Masson staining was performed to observe the formation of tissue engineering cartilage. Results: The examination of scanning electron microscope revealed that the pores of the scaffold were well-distributed. The shape of pores was irregular. The chondrocytes on the scaffold were proliferated well after two weeks' culture in vitro. The size of specimens obtained at different time in the experimental group was not obviously changed. The specimens in control group became smaller and smaller. HE and Masson staining revealed that the scaffold had been completely absorbed after 12 weeks. The mature cartilage tissue had been formed in the experimental group after 12 weeks. The fibrous connective tissue was formed finally instead of the scaffold in control group. Conclusions: This PHB scaffold can be used as the scaffold of cartilage tissue engineering.%目的:研究新型聚羟丁酸酯作为组织工程软骨支架材料的可行性.方法:取幼兔软骨组织中软骨细胞体外培养扩增.实验组接种软骨细胞于支架材料上,体外培养两周后埋植于新西兰大白兔背部皮下；对照组埋入未接种细胞的支架材料.扫描电镜观察材料表面形态及细胞生长情况.分别于第4、8、12周取出标本,大体观察后进行HE和Masson染色,观察组织工程软骨形成情况.结果:扫描电镜观察可见裸材料孔隙分布均匀,形状不规则；细胞材料复合体体外培养两周后材料表面爬满细胞且生长状态良好.埋植材料取出后可见不同时间点实验组标本大小无明显变化,对照组标本逐渐变小.HE和Masson染色显示各组支架材料至12周时已被完全吸收；实验组12周时可见较成熟软骨组织；对照组支架材料被吸收后最终被纤维结缔组织取代.结论:此新型聚羟丁酸酯材料可作为组织工程软骨支架材料.
展开▼
