Rat Cartilage Repair Using Nanophase PLGA/HA Composite and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Biodegradable polymer/bioceramic composite poly(lactide- coglycolide)/hydroxyapatite(PLGA/HA) was studied for bone tissue engineering. The PLGA/HA composite was evaluated as a scaffold with the ability for mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to participate in cartilage repair. The PLGA/HA composite and the PLGA/HA composite cultured with MSC were transplanted into cartilage defects created in rats. The PLGA/HA-MSC and PLGA/HA had better tissue morphology, structure integrity, matrix staining, and much thicker newly formed cartilage than the control group. The histological score for PLGA/ HA-MSC better than that for PLGA/HA; it appears that the MSC plays an important role in tissue repair. Based on these results, using PLGA/HA as the tissue scaffold and the addition of MSC significantly enhances cartilage repair.