Cytotoxicity
Conditions
Brief summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the primary stabilizer of the knee joint, and ACL injuries are highly prevalent, particularly among physically active and athletic individuals. Although ACL reconstruction is a well-established orthopedic procedure, significant challenges remain regarding biological integration between the graft and bone, which may negatively affect clinical outcomes. In recent years, advanced biomaterials and regenerative medicine approaches have gained increasing attention as potential strategies to enhance osteointegration and promote more physiological tissue healing. Before clinical application, these materials must undergo rigorous in vitro biological evaluation in accordance with international standards, particularly ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity assessment. The study will investigate cytotoxicity, cell viability, inflammatory responses, pro-fibrotic effects, and osteogenic potential using relevant human cell models. The regenerative effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a source of growth factors, will also be evaluated. The biomaterials under investigation include a titanium alloy and polylactic acid (PLA), both widely used in orthopedic applications. The main objective is to demonstrate their biocompatibility, absence of cytotoxic, inflammatory, and pro-fibrotic effects, and their ability to support osteogenic processes and tissue integration. The findings will provide essential evidence for subsequent preclinical in vivo studies and future clinical translation.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Stefano Zaffagnini
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Inclusion criteria
Femoral condyle, tibial plateau and synovial membrane samples Patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Clinic II of the IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (Bologna, Italy), in whom collection of tibial plateau, femoral condyles and/or synovial tissue is planned. Inclusion criteria: Age 18-80 years, male or female Primary tricompartmental osteoarthritis Body Mass Index (BMI) \< 35 Kellgren-Lawrence grade III-IV osteoarthritis Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Previous partial knee arthroplasty or cartilage repair/regenerative procedures Rheumatoid arthritis or chronic corticosteroid/immunosuppressive therapy Positive testing for HIV, HBV or HCV infection Concentrated bone marrow (BMC) samples Patients of both sexes providing written informed consent and presenting with the following characteristics: Inclusion criteria: Age 18-70 years Medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III for \>4 months) Failure of ≥6 months of conservative treatment (NSAIDs/analgesics, hyaluronic acid, corticosteroid or PRP injections) Written informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular health parameters | 72 hours | Cellular health parameters were assessed after 72 hours of exposure to the materials and compared with standardized control samples |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pro-inflammatory cytokines | 48 hours | Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured after 6, 24 and 48 hours of exposure to the materials |
| ROS | 48 hours | Markers of oxidative stress were evaluated after 72 hours of exposure to the materials |
| Osteogenic potential | 28 days | Osteogenic potential was assessed by evaluating the gene expression of specific osteogenic markers and the production of protein biomarkers (ALP and P1NP) at 7, 14, and 28 days |
Countries
Italy
Contacts
CONTACTstefano zaffagnini
Outcome results
None listed