The comparison of the effects of a novel hydrogel compound and traditional hyaluronate following micro-fracture procedure in a rat full-thickness chondral defect model

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the impact of HAeCSeNAG compound(hyaluronate, sodium chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) on the quality of repair tissue aftermicro-fracture and to compare it with HA (hyaluronat), in a rat full-thickness chondral defect model.Methods: Full-thickness chondral defects were created in a non-weight bearing area by using a handle2.7-mm drill bit, in the right knees of 33 SpragueeDawley rats. Each specimen then underwent microfracture using a needle. Two weeks after surgery, 3 groups were randomly formed among the rats(n¼ 33). In Group 1, 0.2 mL of sterile saline solution (0.9%) was injected. In Group 2, 0.2 mL HA with amean molecular weight of 1.2 Mda was injected. In Group 3, 0.2 mL of HAeCSeNAG compound (hyaluronate, sodium chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) was injected. The injections were appliedon the 14th, the 21st and the 28th postoperative days. All rats were sacriŞced on the 42nd postoperativeday. Histological analysis of the repair tissue was performed for each specimen by two blinded observersusing Wakitani scoring system.Results: There was signiŞcantly improved repair tissue in both Group 3 and Group 2 when comparedwith Group 1. Group 3 showed statistically signiŞcant improvement in terms of ‘cell morphology’ and‘integration of donor with host’ when compared to Group 2 (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of HAeCSeNAG compound after micro-fracture results in signiŞcantly improved repair tissue in rats' chondral defects when compared to HA regarding the donorintegration and cell morphology.