Construction of the central vascularized bone / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The vascularization plays a key role in bone formation and reconstruction. Bioactiveβ-tricalcium phosphate has a porosity and absorbability that al ow a possibility of constructing vascularized bone. OBJECTIVE:To explore the blood supply and construction of the central vascularizedβ-tricalcium phosphate, as wel as the mechanism of vascularization in artificial bone for its further clinical application. METHODS:The lumbar dorsal artery of New Zealand rabbits was isolated and prepared into vascular bundle. At the experimental side, the vascular bundle was implanted into channel of theβ-tricalcium phosphate, then fil ed with the autologous tiny bone particles, and embedded into the latissimus dorsi muscle. Animals without the vascular bundle implantation were taken as the control group. The samples were determined for the morphology and histology at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The site where the vascular bundle was implanted appeared foramen nutriens-like structure, the blood vessels were abundant and smooth. The central vascularized tricalcium phosphate were fil ed with new-born vessels at 4-8 weeks. The newly formed bone and bone metabolism appeared at 4 weeks and newly formed bones were more mature at 12 weeks. In the control group, there were only a few new-born vessels, the newly formed bone was immature. The central vascularizedβ-tricalcium phosphate can significantly improve the vascularization of artificial bone. This model can probably serve as a new method for tricalcium phosphate in clinical use.