Abstract: Objective To study on repair of articular cartilage defects with combined bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)/ basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) material in order to supply experimental basis for repairing cartilage defects biologically.Methods The rabbit were chosen and full thick defects of cartilage were made in intercondylar fovea of the femur, the defects were repaired with different materials(rhBMP2/PVP,bFGF/PVP,rhBMP2/bFGF/PVP,PVP), and the results were observed with histology and electron microscope.Results 8 weeks after operation,the defects of cartilage had almost repaired in the rhBMP2/bFGF/PVP group,12 weeks after operation, the cartilage were smoother,the results of other groups were not so good as this group.Conclusion BMP had the ability to induce cartilage formation,combined BMP/bFGF material increased cartilage cell proliferation,and had the better result than using BMP alone,combined BMP/bFGF material was good for repair of articular cartilage defects.

Key words: articular cartilage, bone morphogenetic protein, fibroblast growth factor, basic defects of cartilage