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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Electron microscopic study on bone formation and bioresorption after implantation of beta-tricalcium phosphate in
Masaaki Chazono1, Takaaki Tanaka, Seiichiro Kitasato
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
Background:
The role of bone formation and bioresorption in an early stage after implantation of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM).
Methods:
The ceramic beta-TCP cylinders were implanted into cavities drilled in the femoral condyles of eight NZW rabbits. Four of the rabbits were sacrificed at 2 weeks and four at 4 weeks after implantation, respectively. The femoral condyles were excised to prepare the specimens for SEM and TEM.
Results:
SEM showed giant cells of more than 20 mum in diameter were observed on the surface of beta-TCP at 2 weeks after implantation. TEM demonstrated that collagen fibrils secreted from the monocytic cells invaded beta-TCP micropores at 2 weeks. Multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) were in contact with the surface of beta-TCP at 2 weeks. Some of them had a ruffled border (RB) at the cell-substrate interface, characteristic of osteoclasts.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that cell-mediated disintegration by osteoclasts played a role in the bioresorption of beta-TCP at an early stage after implantation. In addition, the micropores of beta-TCP ceramic may provide an environment for collagen formation, leading to the deposition of apatite crystals. Therefore, the micropores facilitate bone ingrowth as well as ceramic resorption.
