Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The fresh human cartilage specimens are the best choice for biomechanical experiments, but when the experiment could not be completed in time, what method can save the maximum protection of cartilage samples so that their degeneration to achieve the least impact on the experiment.
OBJECTIVE: To observe fresh specimens of human articular cartilage in vitro under different circumstances, and to look for the best specimen preservation methods and time.
METHODS: Fresh human articular cartilage specimens were divided into four groups: normal control group, in order to cartilage fixed with the fixative; air-exposed group, exposed to the air; saline group, the saline soaked gauze package and drip of saline; Lin Grignard solution group, with gauze soaked in Ringer's solution package, drip of Ringer's solution. After treatment for 1, 2, and 3 hours, the specimens were performed with hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson tri-color staining, and Safranin 0 staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Staining results showed that following saline or Ringer's droplet injection for 1 hour, no significant changes were found at articular cartilage surface; 3 hours later, rough fibers were observed at surface of cartilage and arranged in disorder, while more cracks were observed. After exposing in the air for 1 hour, rhagades was found at surface of cartilage; 3 hours later, ridge-like appearance was unclear, large cracks were observed, and fibers were exposed resulting in cartilage injury. This suggested that tips to saline or Ringer's solution gauze wrapped fresh human articular cartilage specimens in vitro were effective, and cartilage preserved preferably within 2 hours after exposure in vitro.