The modification experimental study in vivo of nano-bone gelatin

To study the feasibility of therapy using nano-bone gelatin to comminuted fracture by animal experiment.

The animal models of transverse fracture were made on bilateral ulnas of 45 New Zealand white rabbits, which were divided into experimental group (repair with nano-bone gelatin), control group (repair with traditional medical glue), and blank group (unrepaired) randomly. The reconstruction effect in each group was evaluated using X-ray examination, MicroCT scanning, histopathology observation, and biomechanical test postoperation regularly.

On 12th week, the fractures in experimental and blank group get the marrow cavity completely unobstructed and good bone union; however, in control group, the fracture line slightly blurred with the marrow cavity not fully unobstructed; 6 weeks later, observation of bony calluses through MircoCT: experimental group, 68.5 ± 2.71%; blank group, 69.19 ± 2.3%; and control group, 49.35 ± 3.56%, there were no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The control group obviously showed worse bone union than the former two (P < 0.05). The histopathological examination shows that the bony calluses of experimental group are similar to those of the blank group; however, gelatin degraded slowly in control group with delayed union; on the 12th week, biomechanical test shows that the blank and experiment groups had basically same average bending strength values which had no significant difference (P > 0.05) and obviously were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01).

The nano-bone gelatin won't lead to delayed union of fractures and may be beneficial to it, and so may be an ideal gelatin for fixing small fractures.