Evaluation of a biodegradable graft substitute in rabbit bone defect model

To evaluate a new biodegradable copolymer calcium sulfate/poly amino acid (CS/PAA) as a graft substitute for the repair of the surgically created cancellous bone defects in rabbits and its biological properties in vivo.

Cancellous bone defects were created by drilling holes in the unilateral lateral aspect of the femoral condyle of New Zealand white rabbits. Three groups were assigned: Group A rabbits were grafted with 80% CS/PAA and group B rabbits were grafted with 95% CS/PAA as two treatment groups; group C was sham-operation control group. To study the osteogenic capability in vivo, specimens were harvested at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after implantation and were evaluated by gross assessment, X-ray, histological examination, and histomorphometry. In order to identify the molecular mechanism of bone defect repair, the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected using Western blot at 4 weeks.

Group A and group B showed more vigorous and rapid repair leading to regeneration of cancellous bone than sham-operation control group on gross observation, radiology, and histomorphometry. There was no significant difference between groups A and B. Morphological observation and histological examination showed that the copolymers degraded in sync with the new bone formation process. The expression of BMP-2 and VEGF in implantation groups was higher than that in control group by western blot.

These findings demonstrated that the novel biodegradable copolymers can repair large areas of cancellous bone defects. With its controllable degradation rate, it suggests that CS/PAA may be a series of useful therapeutic substitute for bone defects.