Comparison of Two Bovine Commercial Xenografts in the Regeneration of Critical Cranial Defects

Autologous bone is the gold standard in regeneration processes. However, there is an endless search for alternative materials in bone regeneration. Xenografts can act as bone substitutes given the difficulty of obtaining bone tissue from patients and before the limitations in the availability of homologous tissue donors. Bone neoformation was studied in critical-size defects created in the parietal bone of 40 adult male Wistar rats, implanted with xenografts composed of particulate bovine hydroxyapatite (HA) and with blocks of bovine hydroxyapatite (HA) and Collagen, which introduces crystallinity to the materials. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the carbonate and phosphate groups of the hydroxyapatite and the amide groups of the collagen structure, while the thermal transitions for HA and HA/collagen composites established mainly dehydration endothermal processes, which increased (from 79 °C to 83 °C) for F2 due to the collagen presence. The xenograft’s X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis also revealed the bovine HA crystalline structure, with a prominent peak centered at 32°. We observed macroporosity and mesoporosity in the xenografts from the morphology studies with heterogeneous distribution. The two xenografts induced neoformation in defects of critical size. Histological, histochemical, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed 30, 60, and 90 days after implantation. The empty defects showed signs of neoformation lower than 30% in the three periods, while the defects implanted with the material showed partial regeneration. InterOss Collagen material temporarily induced osteon formation during the healing process. The results presented here are promising for bone regeneration, demonstrating a beneficial impact in the biomedical field.

In vivo regeneration functionalities of experimental organo-biomaterials containing water-soluble nacre extract

Background

Novel multifunctional biomaterials were recently designed to allow for an optimized tissue regeneration process.

Purpose

To comprehensively assess (photographic, radiographic and histological) the in vivo functionality of demineralized bovine bone matrix (DBM) associated with an experimental marine organic extract (MOE) from nacre in a sheep ectopic grafting model.

Materials and methods

Synthesis of MOE was based on mixing powdered nacre (0.05 g, particles average size <0.1 mm) with acetic acid (5 mL, pH 7) under constant stirring for 72 hours (25 °C). Polyethylene tubes (3/animal, n = 4, diameter: 5.0 mm × length: 10.0 mm) from the control (empty) or experimental groups (DBM or DBM + MOE) were then intramuscularly implanted into the lumbar regions of sheep (n = 8, 2-years old, ≈45 kg). Animals were euthanized at 3 and 6 months to allow for the collection of tissue samples. Tissue samples were fixed in formalin 10% (buffered, 7 days) in preparation for photographic, radiographic and histological assessments. Acquired images were then analyzed using digital image analysis software to quantify the amount of neoformed tissues, whereas radiographic and histological analyses were performed to determine radiopacity and classification of tissues deposited inside of the tubes.

Results

Photographic and radiographic analyses have shown that both pure (unaltered) and MOE-modified DBM were capable of depositing neoformed tissues (at 3 and 6 months), where higher levels of deposition and radiopacity were observed on groups treated with experimental materials. Histological results, however, demonstrated that tissues formed from both unaltered and MOE-modified DBM were only fibrous connective in origin.

Conclusions

As an ectopic grafting in sheep, the experimental organo-biomaterial association applied did not reveal any osteoinductive property but led to a fibrous tissue repair only.

Porous titanium granules are better than autograft bone as a bone void filler in lateral tibial plateau fractures: A randomised trial

A total of 20 patients with a depressed fracture of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker II or III) who would undergo open reduction and internal fixation were randomised to have the metaphyseal void in the bone filled with either porous titanium granules or autograft bone. Radiographs were undertaken within one week, after six weeks, three months, six months, and after 12 months. The primary outcome measure was recurrent depression of the joint surface: a secondary outcome was the duration of surgery. The risk of recurrent depression of the joint surface was lower (p < 0.001) and the operating time less (p < 0.002) when titanium granules were used. The indication is that it is therefore beneficial to use porous titanium granules than autograft bone to fill the void created by reducing a depressed fracture of the lateral tibial plateau. There is no donor site morbidity, the operating time is shorter and the risk of recurrent depression of the articular surface is less.