The influence of human amniotic fluid on the potential of rabbit ear perichondrial flaps to form cartilage tissue.

Since several experimental and clinical studies demonstrated the chondrogenic potential of perichondrium, there has been great interest in examining factors that might promote neochondrogenesis from perichondrium. Human amniotic fluid contains hyaluronic acid, growth factors and extracellular macromolecules, and may, therefore, have a stimulating effect on cartilage regeneration. This experimental study investigated the effect of human amniotic fluid on cartilage regeneration from rabbit ear perichondrial flaps, using 96 ears of 48 New Zealand young rabbits. A perichondrial flap was elevated and a cartilage defect measuring 20 mm x 15 mm was created on the dorsum of each ear, then the perichondrial flap was sutured in place. The ears were divided into two groups according to the solution injected underneath the perichondrial flap. The right ears, which were injected with 0.2 ml human amniotic fluid, formed the experimental group, and the left ears, which were injected with 0.2 ml saline, formed the control group. Macroscopic and histological progression of neochondrogenesis were evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery. Macroscopically, the cartilage in the experimental group was generated quickly and had a similar appearance to the surrounding cartilage tissue, whereas in the control group minimal cartilage formation was observed at 4 weeks. Histologically, the neocartilage was significantly thicker in the experimental group than in the control group at 8 weeks (P < 0.05, Student's t -test). It can be concluded that human amniotic fluid enhances new cartilage formation from rabbit ear perichondrial flaps. The preventive effect of human amniotic fluid on scar formation and the rich content of growth factors and extracellular matrix precursors may play a role in this result. Copyright 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.