Effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on bone healing around a titanium implant in the tibia of osteoporosis-induced rats

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a major health problem in the elderly that involves changes in the properties of bone as well as impaired bone healing around a titanium implant in both humans and animals. This study examined effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the bone healing process around a titanium implant in osteoporosis-induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rats were divided into two groups. A control group with osteoporosis induced by removing both ovaries and an experimental group of rats that were applied with LIPUS after osteoporosis had been induced. A screw type titanium implant (diameter, 2.0 mm length, 3.5 mm, Cowell-Medi, KOREA) was placed into the tibias of 16 rats. The control and experimental group contained 8 rats each. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation to examine the histopathology and immunochemistry. RESULTS: The histopathology examination revealed earlier new bone formation in the experimental group than the control group. In particular, at 1 week after implantation, more new bone matrix and collagen were observed around the implant of the experimental group compared to the control group. Immunochemistry analysis showed that the level of OPG expression of the experimental group was higher in the early stages than in the control group. After 8 weeks, the levels of OPG expression were similar in both groups. The expression level of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) was stronger in the experimental group than the control group. After 4 weeks, the level of RANKL expression was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the application of LIPUS to implantation can promote bone healing around titanium in osteoporosis animals.