Implants of type I collagen gel containing MG-63 osteoblast-like cells can act as stable scaffolds stimulating the bone healing process at the sites of the surgically-produced segmental diaphyseal defects in male rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Three-dimensional (3-D) type I collagen gel culture systems allow long-term growth of osteoblast-like cells, in vitro. Whether the implantation of 3-D collagen systems can stimulate new bone formation was assessed in male rabbits.


METHODS
A 10-mm segmental diaphyseal defect was surgically produced at the left and right limbs of 50 adult male rabbits. The 3-D systems containing MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were implanted at the right-limb defects of all 50 animals. Twenty-five left-limb defects were implanted with 3-D collagen gels containing no MG-63 cells, while the rest were left empty. The bone repair process was serially assessed by radiography for up to 8 weeks and by histological analysis for up to the week 32 post-surgery.


RESULTS
Ninety-four per cent (94%) of the right-limb defects, presented radiographic evidence of complete bone-end bridging within 8 weeks. None of the 50 left-limb defects presented radiographic post-implantation evidence of bone-end bridging. The radiographic evidence of the bone-end bridging was corroborated with histological evidence of new bone formation, while the medullar canals were filled with bone marrow elements.


CONCLUSIONS
Implants of the 3-D collagen gels containing osteoblast-like cells can be used as stable scaffolds allowing the migration/proliferation of the bone regenerating cells in male rabbits.
Themistocleous
George S
GS
Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Katopodis
Haralampos A
HA
Khaldi
Lubna
L
Papalois
Apostolos
A
Doillon
Charles
C
Sourla
Antigone
A
Soucacos
Panayotis N
PN
Koutsilieris
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002460:Cell Line; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000637:transplantation*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing
D024042:Collagen Type I; D005782:Gels