The purpose of this study was to observe the healing process and the distribution of fibronectin in injured condylar cartilage and bone by using LM and SEM. In order to perform this study, 40 male rat, weighing about 2.50g were selected. Under general anesthesia with Pentobarbital sodium, condylar cartilage and neck bone were resected Then; the wound was irrigated with saline and closed with 5-0 chromic catgut and 4-0 silk by layer-to-layer suturing.
The experimental rats were sacrificed by perfusion with 3% paraformaldehyde at 1st and 4th week after operation.
The condylar process and surrounding tissues were cut, demineralized, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. The histological observation of the specimens in LM level was performed after HE stain and Azan stain. For localization of fibronectin, immunostaining was achieved by the avidin-biotin complex method. To study the change on condylar surface, the specimens were dehydrated, dried, gold coated and were observed with a scanning electron microscope(Hitachi S-2300).
The results were as follows ;
1. The cartilage group and the bone group were repaired with epiphyseal cartilage layer on the cut surface as the normal control group.
2. The cut surface was repaired more quickly ~ the cartilage in group than in the bone group.
3. Chondrocytes, differentiated during healing, were stained strongly to anti-fibronectin, and fibronectin was supposed to participate in chondrocyte differentiation and cartilagenous matrix formation.
4. Fibronectin was distributed more in the new bone than in the old bone, and the osteoblasts surrounding it were also stained strongly. Fibronectin was supposed to participate in new bone matrix formation.
5. Fibronectin is supposed to be associated with the differentiation, migration and adhesion of chondrocyte and osteoblast and to participate in endochondral bone formation.
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