title: Efficacy of polyanionic collagen matrices for bone defect healing.
abstract: Polyanionic collagen-elastin matrices (PCEMs) possess attractive properties, such as extra negative charges, piezoelectricity, and extra RGD sites, which could make them effective in the treatment of bone defects. Although they are biocompatible with the osteogenesis process, it is unknown if PCEMs could aid in the recovery of bone defects in challenging situations. To evaluate this hypothesis, three PCEMs, differing in their negative charge density, were implanted in rat calvarial defects. Specimens harvested at 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after implantation were evaluated radiographically and histologically. Two matrices were able to sustain the osteogenesis process and quickly recover the lost bone structure. The third, and most electronegative, left matrix remnants amidst the areas of new bone. The control showed bone formation limited to the boundaries of the defect. These results suggest that some PCEMs might become a useful resource in the treatment of bone defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Brazil. lenaldo@rpa.fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Lenaldo B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Marco Aurélio C
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brochi
authors.forename: Angela D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bellucci
authors.forename: Marcos A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D003720:Densitometry; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin