Evaluation of the effects of bovine demineralized bone matrix and coralline hydroxyapatite on radial fracture healing in rabbit

Abstract

Stimulating bone production may be applied to the management of fractures, non-unions, and osteomyelitis. Hydroxyapatite is compatible and osteoconductive for bone regeneration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of osteoinductive activity of xenogenic demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in combination with osteoconductive hydroxyapatite (HA) in osseous location. Twenty four adult New Zealand white rabbits (male, weight: 2.5 to 3.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups. All rabbits were anesthetized with intramuscular administration of ketamin and xylazine. After preparing the operation site, the right radius was exposed, and a full thickness 5 mm defect was created in the mid-diaphyseal region. The defects were filled with DBM and hydroxyapatite in Group I, DBM in Group II, hydroxyapatite in Group III and Group IV was considered as a control group. The formation and healing of bone were determined by histological and mechanical analysis during 8 weeks. Implantation of combination of DBM and hydroxyapatite yielded significant (p < 0.05) bone formation resulting in histological, and mechanical evidence of union compared to other groups. The second group which received DBM showed better bone healing compared to the third group. No instances of union were observed in the hydroxyapatite and control groups. Our results suggest that bovine DBM may be more useful in combination with hydroxyapatite as a therapeutic adjuvant in clinical situations when local formation of bone is needed.   Key words: Demineralized bone matrix, coralline hydroxyapatite, bone healing, rabbit.