Effect of cryopreservation on articular cartilage

To study the effects of different cryopreservation on the viability and metabolism of chondrocytes so as to find out the ideal method for cryopreservation of articular cartilage.Methods Full-thickness articular cartilage,after pretreated with cryoprotective angents,were cryopreserved using step-cooling or constant cooling protocol.Chondrocyte viability and metabolic activity were assessed using paravital staining and radioactive  35 S-sulfate uptake after thawing.Results Chondrocyte viability differed significantly between fresh cartilage and those that had been cryopreserved.The stepcooling protocol resulted in a better recovery of chondrocytes (around 61%) than constant-cooling protocol.But the metabolic activity per viable chondrocyte in two groups was compared with fresh cartilage.Conclusion A step-cooling cryopreservation protocol can get a substantial improvement in chondrocyte survival and don’t significantly affect the metabolic activity of chondrocyte.It is optimal cryopreservation protocol of articular cartilage.4 refs.