Table 1

Effect of enzymatic treatment on cell viability in cartilage wound edges 5 weeks after subcutaneous implantation in nude mice

Zone

Unwounded

Not enzyme treated

Enzyme treated

Surface

1440 ± 175

1151 ± 133

2316 ± 209*

Middle

787 ± 160

866 ± 27

1097 ± 59*

Deep

646 ± 75

589 ± 16

960 ± 45*

Cartilage was treated with hyaluronidase and collagenase or left untreated and implanted subcutaneously into nude mice for 5 weeks. The number of vital cells were counted in a 150-mm broad band along both sides of the wound edges, as well as in unwounded control areas in surface, middle and deep zones. *P < 0.05 versus unwounded areas and non-enzyme-treated wound areas.

van de Breevaart Bravenboer et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2004 6:R469   doi:10.1186/ar1216