Qi Jian-hong1, Zhao Jian-li1, 2, Zhang Yan-ming1, Song-Hong qiang1, Ge Fu-zhang1, Zhang Ming2

1Institute of Sports Medicine, Taishan Medical College, Taian  271016, Shandong Province, China; 2Joint Center of Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan  250014, Shandong Province, China

Qi Jian-hong☆, M.D., Professor, Institute of Sports Medicine,  Taishan Medical College, Taian  271016, Shandong Province, China  

Correspondence to: Qi Jian-hong, Institute of Sports Medicine, Taishan Medical College, Taian  271016, Shandong Province, China 

Supported by: the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, No. Y2006C103*

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cartilage allograft transplantation is one of effective methods for treatment of articular cartilage defects. However, the short preservation time of osteochondral allograft in vitro limits its clinical application and the utilization efficiency.
OBJECTIVE: To study the preservation effect of articular cartilage allograft with controlled rate cryopreservation.
METHODS: The osteochondral allografts were processed by 10% DMSO and then cooled with a controlled rate freezer at a speed of -1 ℃/min to -4 ℃for 30 minutes, to -10℃ for 30 minutes, to -20 ℃ for 30 minutes, and to -40℃ for 30 minutes. Finally, they were put into a -80 ℃ refrigerator for cryopreservation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After cryopreservation for 1, 3 and 6 months and 1 year, the survival rate and viability of chondrocytes and the proteoglycan level in the superficial, middle and deep layers of osteochondral allograft were decreased with time going (P < 0.05) and as compared with fresh group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that cryopreservation can effectively prolong the survival time of osteochondral allograft.

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