Upregulation of matrix synthesis in chondrocyte-seeded agarose following sustained bi-axial cyclic loading

These results demonstrate that the use of a bi-axial loading regime results in increased matrix production compared with uni-axial loading.

The bi-axial-loaded chondrocytes demonstrated a significant increase in glycosaminoglycan synthesis compared with samples exposed to uni-axial or no loading over the same period (p<0.05). The use of a free-swelling recovery period prior to the loading regime resulted in additional glycosaminoglycan production and a significant increase in DNA content (p<0.05), indicating cell proliferation. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the use of a bi-axial loading regime results in increased matrix production compared with uni-axial loading.