Efficacy of adipose tissue-derived stromal fraction in the treatment of osteochondral defects in rabbits

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of stromal derived from adipose tissue in the treatment of osteochondral defects in rabbits. A total of 36 white New Zealand rabbits were used: 24 to perform an osteochondral defect in the trochlear groove of the joints and 12 to collect adipose tissue in the region of the adipose panicle, divided in three digestion times (30, 45 and 50 min). The groups were divided into negative control (C−), stromal fraction of adipose tissue (SFAT) and positive control (C +) with autogenous osteochondral graft. Clinical, radiographic, macroscopic and histopathological evaluations showed that the therapeutic effects of the stromal fraction of adipose tissue minimized the degenerative signs of articular cartilage in the treatment of osteochondral defects in rabbits. The digestion time of 30 min was the best option for obtaining the stromal fraction from adipose tissue of rabbits and its use at the lesion site was satisfactory, without any immunological complications, indicating potential as an alternative for the treatment of osteochondral defects.