• Tomasz J Zwierzchowski, Olga Stasikowska-Kanicka, Jolanta Janus, Włodzimierz Konecki, Marian Danilewicz, and Jarosław Fabiś.
• Arthroscopy and Sports Traumatology Clinic, Orthopaedic Department, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
• Arch Med Sci. 2012 Sep 8; 8 (4): 724732724-32.

IntroductionThe study sought evidence for apoptosis, the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-2 and their effect on the mechanical and biochemical properties of rabbit fresh knee medial meniscal grafts in a 6-month follow-up.Material And MethodsForty white male New Zealand rabbits were chosen for the study. The medial meniscus was excised from 28 animals and stored under tissue culture conditions for 2 weeks, following which 14 of them were implanted as autografts and 14 as allografts. When the animals were euthanized, 20 menisci were used for immunohistochemical examinations. Apoptosis (TUNEL method) and MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-2 immunoexpression were estimated semiquantitatively. The other 20 menisci were subjected to biochemical analysis and their degree of elasticity was evaluated.ResultsAn increased level of apoptosis (p <0.05) was observed both in allografts (1.57 ±0.98) and autografts (0.86 ±0.69); no statistical differences existed between them. An increased level of metalloproteinases and TIMP-2 expression was observed only in the allografts (p < 0.05). The highest decrease of degree of elasticity and the most significant changes in biochemical composition were observed in allografts (p < 0.05).ConclusionsTHE STUDIES CONFIRMED THE EXISTENCE OF EXCESSIVE APOPTOSIS IN BOTH KINDS OF FRESH VIABLE MEDIAL MENISCAL IMPLANTS: auto- and allografts. Our results suggest that apoptosis and increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression have an adverse effect on the biological properties of implants. The results of experimental studies on humans indicate the need to devise a method of apoptosis inhibition in transplanted menisci to improve long-term results.

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