Evaluation of the osteogenic potential in experimental defects, with and without bone marrow, in the rabbit tibia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of bone marrow in the osteogenic potential of bone has not been evaluated in the rabbit tibia model. Previous studies employed this model extensively to test the osteogenic capabilities of bone grafts. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the role of bone marrow in the healing of experimental defects in the rabbit tibia model.


METHODS
Ten New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups of five each. In the first experimental test group (PoP), the marrow cavity was emptied completely under a 6-mm defect in the rabbit tibia metaphysis; the marrow was replaced by plaster of Paris, and a round piece of lyophilized collagen membrane was placed in contact with the endosteum and rested on the plaster. In the second experimental group (control), similar artificial defects were made, but the marrow was left intact. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and prepared for histologic and histomorphometric analysis.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference (P = .016) in newly formed bone area between the control group (mean, 68.08% +/- 12.09%) and the PoP group (mean, 54.02% +/- 13.93%). Similarly, there was a statistically significant difference in new bone density (P < .001) between the control group (mean, 95.99% +/- 1.74%) and the PoP group (mean, 75.37% +/- 13.27%).


CONCLUSIONS
The current study confirms the significant effect that bone marrow has in bone regeneration and also the true regenerative capabilities of the osseous walls of the defects. The proposed experimental model may be a more reliable method of investigating and comparing the potential of different graft materials and methods.
Veis
Alexander
A
Department of Alveolar Surgery, Implantology and Radiology, Dental School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. aveis@dent.auth.gr
Kougias
Konstantinos
K
Tsirlis
Anastasios
A
Parisis
Nikolaos
N
Papadopoulou
Christina
C
Romanos
George E
GE
D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000502:physiology*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010027:Osteotomy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*