Degradable scaffold materials for cartilage regeneration

Two scaffolding materials for cartilage regeneration were produced from poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) and PLG modified with sodium hyaluronate (PLG-Hyal). The scaffolds were characterized in terms of their microstructure and surface chemistry. Biological properties of the scaffolds were also evaluated by implantation of the scaffolds into auricular cartilage of the rabbits for 1 and 4 weeks. Histological and histochemical examinations show that both scaffolds promote regeneration of the cartilage, although the quickest regeneration was found after implementation of PLG-Hyal.