IN-VITRO ENGINEERING OF CARTILAGE TISSUE - INFLUENCE OF L(-LACTIC ACID AND GLYCOLIC ACID ON CULTURED HUMAN CHONDROCYTES())

Within the scope of producing cartilage tissue in a three-dimensional culture design, the stability of the used delivery substance in-vitro tissue product has to be improved. For this, carrier materials consist ing of bioresorbable polymers, e. g. poly(L[+]-lactic acid) and poly(g lycolic acid) can be used. In respect of the biocompatibility of these polymers, the effect of degradation products on chondrocytes is of ma jor interest. The available biomaterials were tested on chondrocytes i n form of their monomers, glycolic acid and L(+)-lactic acid. Effects in regard of cell activity were determined with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthi azol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenytetra zoliumbromide(MTT)test. A non-pH-effect wa s examined by buffering with concentrated NaOH. In a short-term testin g with increasing monomer concentrations as well as in a test over a t welve-day period, L(+)-lactic acid proved to have a lower cytotoxic ef fect on chondrocytes than glycolic acid. Similar results were obtained with buffered culture media. Therefore, poly(L[+]-lactic acid) can be recommended for the development of chondrocytes-polymer constructs fo r in-vitro engineering of cartilage tissue.