Review Article
Small Ruminant Models for Articular Cartilage Regeneration by Scaffold-Based Tissue Engineering
Table 2
Elements to be considered in experimental design and the advantages of small ruminants in the corresponding element.
| Elements of research design | Advantages of small ruminants |
| Research design | Scaffold | Material | Natural synthetic | Sufficient lifespan to observe degradation and toxicity | Loaded ingredient | Chondrocytes MSCs PRP or others | Sufficient tissue and blood volumes for cell isolation | Implementation | Group design | Animal number endpoints | (1) Cost effective (2) Less ethical issues (3) Flexible endpoint setting | Defect creation | Location | Trochlea Condyle | Similar anatomy to human, thicker cartilage, dense bone layer, make defect creation more easily and precisely | Range | Partial-thickness Full-thickness Osteochondral | Postoperative manage | Drugs | Pain controlling Antibiotics | Similar weight-bearing biomechanical environment to human, can imitate rehabilitation process Easy captivity | Activity | Immobilization Restriction Move freely | Outcome assessment | Macroscopy Histology Imaging examination Biomechanics | Feasible to use routine diagnostic imaging and arthroscopy |
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