Imaging evaluation of hydroxyapatite/gel nano-composite in rabbit skull defect repair / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Hydroxyapatite/gel nano-composite has the same mechanical strength to the natural bone, but its ability to repair bone defects and osteogenic effect need to be confirmed by further studies. OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of hydroxyapatite/gel bionic composite in skul defects of rabbits. METHODS: The hole-like calvarium defect models were established in rabbits, and treated with hydroxyapatite/ gel composites (hydroxyapatite/gel group), autologous skul as positive control (autologous bone group) and nothing as negative control (blank group). The repairing condition in the skul defect areas were observed and analyzed by X-ray and CT at 4, 8, 12 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 8 weeks, X-ray assessment showed that normal-like bone tissue appeared in the defect region of the autologous bone group; in the hydroxyapatite/gel group, dense bone with similar morphology to normal bone tissue was found in the central site of defect region, and the boundary was slightly blurred. After 12 weeks, the hydroxyapatite/gel showed blurred edge compared with autologous bone, and the center of the composite was disconnected; in the blank group, a clear and regular transmitted shadow was observed. After 12 weeks, CT examination showed that the hydroxyapatite/gel was connected tightly with the surrounding normal bone tissue. As a new bionic composite, the hydroxyapatite/gel can achieve good effect in repairing skul defects of rabbits.