Objective: To study the biocompatibility of extracellular matrix (ECM) of homologous fascia lata, so as to identify whether this material can be used in repair of renal trauma.
Methods: The fascia latae of 2 dogs were stripped and underwent treatment of decellularizing liquid, DNAse, RNAse, etc. so as to produce ECM. Twenty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to be injected with the extractive liquid of the ECM or normal saline. 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours later the mice were observed so as to examine the toxicity of the ECM. Mouse fibroblasts of the line L929 were cultured. ECM was added into the suspension of the cells, and 2, 4, and 7 days later the relative growth rate (RGR) of the cells was observed by MTT method. The left kidneys of 10 dogs were cut by knife so as to establish kidney injury models, and the wounds were covered by prepared ECM pieces immediately. 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 2, and 4 months after the operation respectively the dogs were killed and light microscopy and electron microscopy were conducted to observe the condition of the wounds.
Results: No abnormal situation was found in the mice after the extractive liquids of the ECM was injected into their bodies at any time point. MTT method showed that no obvious cytotoxicity was seen in the L292 cells, the RGR levels 2, 4, and 7 days were 112%, 96%, and 97% respectively, and the cytotoxic grade were 0, 1, and 1 respectively. No obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells into the local site of renal repair could be seen, only mild adhesion to the surrounding tissues was found at different time-points after operation.
Conclusion: With good biocompatibility, ECM of homologous fascia lata may be used as an ideal tissue-engineering material for renal repair.