Enhanced effects of levan hydrogels and bovine grafts on guided bone regeneration: In-vitro and in-vivo analysis

This study was performed to evaluate the regenerative capabilities of levan hydrogels when combined with conventional bone graft materials (Bio-Oss®) in guided bone regeneration (GBR). With the growing interest in the application of levan polysaccharide for regenerative purposes over the last decade, a noticeable gap in in-vivo validations remains. This research therefore fills this gap by utilizing the cytocompatibility and cell proliferation potential of levan hydrogels and marks a preliminary effort in its use in combination with Bio-Oss® for bone regeneration, which was examined both in-vitro and in-vivo for the first time. Considerable increases in cell viability (nearly 180 %) attributed to the addition of levan hydrogels alone and with Bio-Oss® (2:2) was detected. In parallel, a histological examination revealed a significant increase in new bone formation compared with the administration of Bio-Oss® alone. The results conclusively demonstrate for the first time that the combination of levan hydrogel with Bio-Oss® results in histopathologically superior new bone formation compared to Bio-Oss® used alone. Additionally, this combination promoted greater osteoblast density and neovascularization. These outcomes not only emphasize the potential of levan hydrogels in enhancing GBR but also suggest their broader applicability in bone regeneration strategies.