Abstract
Summary
A series of injections of papain protease, in doses of 0.2 or 0.3 mg, was administered into the proximal tibial metaphysis of 89 immature rabbits and the effect on the epiphyseal cartilage plates and on longitudinal growth observed for periods up to 4 months. Twenty-six of 63 animals followed 1 to 4 months had a relative elongation of the injected tibia of 3 to 6 mm. Significant retardation and moderate damage to the epiphyseal cartilage plates of the injected tibia occurred in 3 animals on the higher dosage schedule. Histological studies of the tibial epiphyses a few days after one or two injections of papain disclosed transverse splitting through portions of the hypertrophic zone and a marked increase in thickness of the cartilage plates.
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