The effect of pentosan polysulphate on bone healing of rat cranial defects

The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of pentosan polysulphate, used in combination with guided bone regeneration on rat skull defects. The study was conducted on 45 adult Wistar rats. On each animal two symmetrical 6 mm wide, full-thickness, skull defects were created in the parietal regions. The right defect was chosen as the experimental site and the left one was left empty to provide a control. Each experimental site was covered by an inner and outer polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The 45 rats were divided into 3 groups: in group I (n = 15), carboxymethyl cellulose, used as a delivery vehicle, was injected between the two membranes; in group II (n = 15), 1 mg of pentosan polysulfate was added to the carboxymethyl cellulose vehicle; in group III (n = 15), purified micronized eggshell powder was added to the mixture of pentosan polysulfate and carboxymethyl cellulose between the two membranes. In each group, the animals were sacrificed at 42 days. The harvested specimens were processed for contact radiography and standard histological examination. The results were assessed by a Fisher's exact test. All animals, except one, healed uneventfully. In group I, partial bone healing was observed in 14 out of 15 animals. In group II, partial bone healing was observed in 13 out of 15 animals, and complete bone healing in 1 out of 15 cases. In group III, partial resorption of the eggshell implant was observed with a partial bone healing in only 2 cases (P < 0.001). In conclusion, significant bone regeneration was observed with the membranes alone. The use of pentosane polysulphate did not result in additional bone gain. The use of particulate material as a space maintainer is also questionable.