RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cryopreserved and Frozen Hyaline Cartilage Imaged by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope. An Experimental and Prospective Study
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1639
OP 1644
VO 35
IS 8
A1 SERGI SASTRE
A1 SANTIAGO SUSO
A1 JOSEP-MARIA SEGUR
A1 GUILLEM BORI
A1 JOSÉ-ANTONIO CARBONELL
A1 ELBA AGUSTÍ
A1 MONTSE NUÑEZ
YR 2008
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/8/1639.abstract
AB Objective To obtain images of the articular surface of osteochondral grafts (fresh, frozen, and cryopreserved in RPMI) using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). To evaluate and compare the main morphological aspects of the chondral surface of the fresh, frozen, and cryopreserved grafts as visualized via ESEM. Methods The study was based on osteochondral fragments from the internal condyle of the knee joint of New Zealand rabbits, corresponding to the chondral surface from fresh, frozen, and cryopreserved samples. One hundred ESEM images were obtained from each group and then classified according to a validated system. The kappa index and the corresponding concordance index were calculated, and the groups were compared by Pearson’s chi-squared test (p < 0.05). Results The articular surface of cryopreserved osteochondral grafts had fewer even surfaces and filled lacunae and a higher number of empty lacunae as compared to fresh samples; these differences correspond to images of cell membrane lesions that lead to destruction of the chondrocyte. Frozen grafts showed more hillocky and knobby surfaces than did fresh grafts; they also had a greater number of empty chondrocyte lacunae. Conclusion SEM is useful for obtaining images of the surface of osteochondral grafts. When compared to fresh samples, cryopreservation in RPMI medium produces changes in the surface of hyaline cartilage, but to a lesser extent than those produced by freezing.