Long-Term Evaluation of Allogenic Chondrocyte-Loaded PVA–PCL IPN Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Repair in Rabbits

Objective This study tested the long-term efficacy of two synthetic scaffolds for osteochondral defects and compare the outcomes with that of an established technique that uses monolayer cultured chondrocytes in a rabbit model. Methods Articular cartilage defect was created in both knees of 18 rabbits and divided into three groups of six in each. The defects in first group receiving cells loaded on Scaffold A (polyvinyl alcohol–polycaprolactone semi-interpenetrating polymer network (Monophasic, PVA–PCL semi-IPN), the second on Scaffold B (biphasic, PVA–PCL incorporated with bioglass as the lower layer), and the third group received chondrocytes alone. One animal from each group was sacrificed at 2 months and the rest at 1 year. O’Driscoll’s score measured the quality of cartilage repair. Results The histological outcome had good scores (22, 20, and 19) for all three groups at 2 months. At 1-year follow-up, the chondrocyte alone group had the best scores (mean 20.0 ± 1.4), while the group treated by PVA–PCL semi-IPN scaffolds fared better (mean 15 ± 4.2) than the group that received biphasic scaffolds (mean 11.8 ± 5.9). In all three groups, defects treated without cells scored less than the transplant. Conclusion These results indicate that while these scaffolds with chondrocytes perform well initially, their late outcome is disappointing. We propose that for all scaffold-based tissue repairs, a long-term evaluation should be mandatory. The slow degrading scaffolds need further modifications to improve the milieu for long-term growth of chondrocytes and their hyaline phenotype for the better incorporation of tissue-engineered constructs.