[Use of Bioimplants to Replace Cartilage Part II: Application of Implants in Animal Experiments.]

Adam M, Pohunková H, Klézl Z, Pesáková V, Cech O · Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae et Traumatologiae Čechoslovaca

All three implants stimulated new hyaline cartilage at 8–12 weeks. The tissue formed from the GHK-conditioned implant contained more cells than the others. This is the only in-vivo cartilage-defect experiment involving GHK in the literature.

Population

Adult minipigs with a 3.5 mm cylindrical defect drilled in the medial femoral condyle

Intervention

Autologous chondrocyte implant cultured in medium enriched with cartilage collagen, aggrecan and the GHK tripeptide

Comparator

The same implant without GHK, and chondrocytes added to a collagen/aggrecan gel

Limitations

Czech-language report, English abstract only. Animal numbers, randomisation and blinding are not stated; cellularity is reported without a histological grading scale, mechanical testing or aggrecan quantification. GHK conditioned the implant in culture — it was not delivered into the joint.