Intra-articular injection of decellularized extracellular matrices in the treatment of osteoarthritis in rabbits

Background We investigated the role of decellularized cartilage matrix in osteoarthritis to seek a new treatment for this disease. Methods Knee cartilage from rabbits was decellularized and the degree of decellularization was assessed. A grinder was used to turn acellular cartilage into particles, which were then used in a suspension. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to an operation on their anterior cruciate ligament for the osteoarthritis model. The success of the animal model of osteoarthritis was evaluated using results from six rabbits. The remaining 24 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (groups A, B, C, and D). Rabbits in groups A, B, C, and D were injected with 200 µl of normal saline, 200 µl of 10% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension, 200 µl of 20% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension, and 200 µl of 40% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension into the knee joints, respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic assessments were performed three months after surgery to assess the degree of osteoarthritic changes. Results Histological and biochemical analysis revealed that the cartilage decellularized matrix removed cells after decellularization but retained components of collagen and glycosaminoglycan. Group A exhibited the most significant changes from osteophyte and cartilage erosion, which was macroscopically observable on the surface of the femoral cartilage. HE staining in group A revealed damage to the cartilage surface, disorganized chondrocytes, and spontaneous fibrocartilage formation. Safranin O-fast green staining revealed a cavity formed at the osteochondral junction in group A that did not appear in other groups. Conclusion Our study shows that decellularized cartilage matrix has a certain therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis and provides new insights in the treatment of osteoarthritis.