SEMA3A suspended in matrigel improves titanium implant fixation in ovariectomized rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SEMA3A released from matrigel on implant fixation in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Sixty female rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy. Twelve weeks later, rats were randomly divided into three groups according to implants they accepted: (1) Control, implants with distilled water; (2) Matrigel, implants with matrigel coating; (3) Matrigel + SEMA3A, implants with coating of SEMA3A suspended in matrigel. Implants were inserted in metaphysis of proximal tibiae in all animas bilaterally. In vitro release of SEMA3A was tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro release of SEMA3A was detectable during the first 10 days, and a burst release of was observed during the first 3 days. No significant difference was observed between Control and Matrigel group. The protective effects of SEMA3A in matrigel on peri-implant bone, implant osseointegration and fixation was confirmed. Compared to matrigel alone, SEMA3A suspended in matrigel increased percent bone volume by 88.7% and 83.3% (p < 0.01), bone-to-implant contact ratio by 148.9% (p < 0.01), and 24.8% (p < 0.05), the maximal push-out force by 149.3% and 209.2% (p < 0.01) at 4 and 8 weeks after implant insertion, respectively. Surface modification with SEMA3A suspended in matrigel improved implant osseointegration and fixation in the proximal tibiae of OVX rats. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2060-2065, 2017.