Abstract
In recent years numerous growth factors acting on musculoskeletal tissues have been identified. This presentation summarizes our experience with IGF1 in the stimulation of growth of the physis and TGF beta in the formation of bone and cartilage.
IGF1 in a carrier, agarose, was instilled in a paraphsyeal region in rabbit tibias. The physeal height was measured over a period of time and was found to have increased in the group treated with IGF1 when compared to the control group. In addition there was delayed closure of the physeal plate.
These findings may have clinical applications in stimulation of physeal growth in small by length discrepancies
A polycaprolactone scaffold impregnated with TGF beta was implanted under the skin, in the muscle and under the periosteum in rabbits. Over a period of time the scaffolds were harvested and subjected to histological analysis with a variety to stains. Formation of bone and cartilage was found in these scaffolds implanted under the periosteum. Subdermal and intramuscular implantation of the scaffolds did not produce the same results. It is postulated that apart from TGF Beta local and environmental factors may play a part in bone and cartilage formation. This model may be useful in creating complex scaffolds in-vivo for subsequent transplantations.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Jegan Krishnan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park 5047, Australia.
