Chondrocytes obtained from stifle joint of New Zealand White rabbits were cultivated. Half of cells were maintained in culture for later implantation and the others frozen during six months to evaluate viability. A circular osteochondral defect was created in the right stifle of other twenty seven rabbits. The control group (CG) received no treatment. The thawed (TH) and fresh (FH) heterologous groups received, respectively, an implant of cultivated thawed or fresh heterologous chondrocytes associated with platelet rich plasma (PRP). The CG group showed greatest pain and lameness compared to the other groups seven days after the implantation. Microscopically, at 45 and 90 days, the TH and FH groups showed filling with cartilaginous tissue containing chondrocytes surrounded by a dense matrix of glycosaminoglycans. In the CG group, healing occurred with vascularized fibrous connective tissue without integration to the subchondral bone. Cryopreserved heterologous chondrocytes were viable for implantation and healing of osteochondral lesions; the association with PRP allows the fixation of cells in the lesion and offers growth factors which accelerates repair with tissue similar to articular hyaline cartilage.
rabbits; articular cartilage; chondrocyte implantation; platelet rich plasma; type II collagen
