ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the osteoconductive effect of an autograft, in the presence or absence of the L-PRP, using histomorphometric analysis of the bone formed, and we compared the results in the presence of TGF-ß1, Wnt10b and CD34 detected by immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two bone defects were produced in the calvaria of 20 rabbits. The defects were treated with autograft and autograft combined with L-PRP. The animals were euthanized at 15 and 40 days post-surgery. Data were analyzed by Student-Newman-Keuls (p ≤ 0.05) test for histomorphometric and immunohistochemical interpretation. RESULTS: The results revealed that the presence of bone matrix was significantly less in the defects treated with L-PRP. These results coincided with changes of the immunolocalization of the TGF-ß1. In the L-PRP-free groups the TGF-ß1 was restricted to bone matrix while the CD34 was scarce and the Wnt10b occurred in peritrabecular cells. In contrast, in defects that received L-PRP the presence of TGF-ß1 occurred in cells, which occupied whole area of defect. These TGF-ß1+ cells also were co-expressed to Wnt10b and CD34. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that L-PRP induces a cross-reaction between TGF-ß1 and Wnt10b, which stimulates the self-renewal and maintenance of CD34+ stem cells immunophenotype, impairing the osteoconductivity properties of the autograft.
