ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a good scaffold material, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) possesses a strong osteogenic ability, therefore, by which preparing a novel composite material wil be helpful for bone repair. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 microspheres on the osteogenesis and biomechanics of rabbit bone defects. METHODS:Forty-eight male healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=16 per group), including composite, single and control groups. Radical defect models were prepared, and the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 and hol ow HA scaffolds were implanted into the composite and single groups, respectively. The control group received no treatment. At the 1st day of 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after implantation, the level of serum alkaline phosphatase was detected, and the bone healing was assessed through X-ray, three-dimensional CT, radionuclide bone scan and biomechanics testing, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The level of serum alkaline phosphatase, X-ray scale scores, osteogetic effect, region of interest volume, three-dimensional CT and biomechanical strength in the composite group were superior to those in the single group. In the meanwhile, the bone healing was unsatisfactory in the control group. Our findings indicate that the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 artificial bone exhibits a good osteogenic ability and mechanical strength, contributing to bone healing.