Injectable Alginate Seeded with Chondrocytes as a Potential Treatment for Vesicoureteral Reflux

AbstractInjection of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) or collagen has been used in the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Although the principle of an endoscopic treatment is valid, there are concerns regarding the long-term safety and effectiveness of these substances. The goal of several investigators has been to find alternate implant materials that would be safe for human use. Toward this goal we conducted a study to determine the effect of chondrocytes using a biodegradable polymer solution as a template.Hyaline cartilage was obtained from the articular surfaces of calf shoulders and chondrocytes were harvested. Chondrocyte suspensions were concentrated to 20, 30 and 40 X 106 cells per cc and mixed with dry alginate powder (a biodegradable polymer) to form a gel. Twelve athymic mice were injected subcutaneously with a chondrocyte-alginate solution. Each mouse had 4 injection sites, consisting of control, 10, 15 and 20 X 106 chondrocyte cells (48 injection sites). Mice were sacrificed at 2...