Date Available
5-3-2011
Year of Publication
2010
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Document Type
Thesis
College
Engineering
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. David A. Puleo
Abstract
Growth plate is a highly organized cartilaginous tissue found at the end of long bones and is responsible for longitudinal growth of the bones. Growth plate fracture leads to retarded growth and unequal limb length, which might have a lifelong effect on a person’s physical stature. This research is a tissue engineering approach for the treatment of growth plate injury. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which can stimulate cartilage formation, was encapsulated within PLGA microspheres that were then used to form porous scaffolds. The release profile of the IGF-I from the PLGA scaffold showed a biphasic release pattern. In vitro studies were done by seeding rat bone marrow cells (BMCs) on the top of IGF-I encapsulated PLGA scaffolds, and the results showed an increase in cell multiplication and glycosaminoglycan content. The final in vivo studies were conducted by creating growth plate injury and implanting scaffolds in the tibiae of the New-Zealand white rabbits. Histological analysis of tissue sections showed regeneration of cartilage, albeit with disorganized structure, at the site of implantation of IGF-I encapsulated scaffolds. This work will be a significant step towards tissue engineering of growth plate cartilage.
Recommended Citation
Chinnakavanam Sundararaj, Sharath kumar, "IGF-I RELEASING PLGA SCAFFOLDS FOR GROWTH PLATE REGENERATION" (2010). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 59.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/59
