Evaluation of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) expression in rabbit medial meniscal knee allograft

Introduction. The study presents immunohistological examination of MMP-1 expression in viable knee medial meniscal allografts in rabbits 6 months after surgery. Material end methods. The experimental study comprised 13 mature male New Zealand white rabbits – 7 allografts were performed using modified technique of Sommerlath and Gilquist and a control group of 6 animals subjected only to arthrotomy. Before implantation the menisci were stored in tissue culture conditions described by Verdonk. Six months after surgery the animals were sacrificed and the menisci were evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression of MMP-1 and then statistically analyzed. Conclusions. Semiquantitative evaluation showed a strong expression of MMP-1 in allografts compared to the control group (p< 0,001). Our results suggest a possibility of degenerative changes of the meniscal allografts.