Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (32): 8335-8344.doi: 10.12307/2026.417

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Effectiveness of collagen and fibrin sealant in repairing articular cartilage damage in rabbits

Yan Yanliuxing, Deng Xinxin, Zou Jie, Li Jianmo   

  1. Konee Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong Province, China
  • Accepted:2026-01-06 Online:2026-11-18 Published:2026-04-23
  • Contact: Li Jianmo, PhD, Senior engineer, Konee Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Yan Yanliuxing, PhD, Konee Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shenzhen Science and Technology Program, Grant No. KQTD20190929172501638 (to LJM) 

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage is primarily composed of collagen. Using collagen as a scaffold material,  combined with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for in situ repair, has become a new method for treating articular cartilage damage.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of collagen combined with fibrin sealant in repairing articular cartilage defects in rabbits.
METHODS: Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits were used. Full-thickness cartilage defects of 4.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth were created on the trochlear surface of the medial femoral condyle of the left hind limbs. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: microfracture group (n=12) underwent microfracture surgery. Collagen group (n=12) underwent microfracture surgery followed by injection of domestically produced collagen into the cartilage defect. CartiRegen group (n=12) underwent microfracture surgery followed by injection of a mixture of imported collagen and fibrin sealant into the cartilage defect. Experimental group (n=12) underwent microfracture surgery followed by injection of a mixture of domestically produced collagen and fibrin sealant into the cartilage defect. At 12 and 24 weeks post-surgery, knee joint MRI examinations were performed, and the knee joint cartilage repair tissue was subjected to hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, safranin O-fast green staining, type II collagen immunohistochemical staining, ICRS scoring, and Mankin scoring. The compression modulus and hardness of the knee joint cartilage repair tissue were measured at 24 weeks post-surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) MRI examinations showed that at 24 weeks post-surgery, the cartilage defect in the microfracture group was almost completely filled, but the integration of the cartilage repair tissue with the surrounding normal cartilage tissue was poor. The cartilage defect in the collagen group was almost completely filled, and the integration with the surrounding normal cartilage tissue was almost complete, with slight differences. The cartilage defects in the CartiRegen group and the experimental group were completely filled, and there were no significant differences in integration and surface level compared with the surrounding healthy cartilage tissue. (2) Histological staining showed that the cartilage tissue in the microfracture group was lightly and unevenly stained, with poor cartilage morphology. The cartilage tissue in the collagen group was more evenly stained, with a smooth cartilage repair surface and good integration with the surrounding normal cartilage tissue, but with some fissures. The cartilage tissue in the CartiRegen group and the experimental group showed uniform staining, a smooth surface, dense tissue, good integration with the surrounding tissue, and good filling. (3) The ICRS score and Mankin score of cartilage repair at 24 weeks post-operation in the CartiRegen group and the experimental group were lower than those in the microfracture group and the collagen group (P < 0.05), and the cartilage hardness at 24 weeks post-operation in the collagen group, CartiRegen group, and experimental group was greater than that in the microfracture group (P < 0.05). (4) The results exhibit that the combination of collagen and fibrin sealant with microfracture surgery has a good repair effect on cartilage damage.


Key words: articular cartilage repair, type I collagen, microfracture, fibrin sealant, biomaterial scaffold, cartilage injury

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