title: PLGA/TCP composite scaffold incorporating bioactive phytomolecule icaritin for enhancement of bone defect repair in rabbits.
abstract: Bone defect repair is challenging in orthopaedic clinics. For treatment of large bone defects, bone grafting remains the method of choice for the majority of surgeons, as it fills spaces and provides support to enhance biological bone repair. As therapeutic agents are desirable for enhancing bone healing, this study was designed to develop such a bioactive composite scaffold (PLGA/TCP/ICT) made of polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as a basic carrier, incorporating a phytomolecule icaritin (ICT), i.e., a novel osteogenic exogenous growth factor. PLGA/TCP/ICT scaffolds were fabricated as PLGA/TCP (control group) and PLGA/TCP in tandem with low/mid/high-dose ICT (LICT/MICT/HICT groups, respectively). To evaluate the in vivo osteogenic and angiogenic potentials of these bioactive scaffolds with slow release of osteogenic ICT, the authors established a 12 mm ulnar bone defect model in rabbits. X-ray and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography results at weeks 2, 4 and 8 post-surgery showed more newly formed bone within bone defects implanted with PLGA/TCP/ICT scaffolds, especially PLGA/TCP/MICT scaffold. Histological results at weeks 4 and 8 also demonstrated more newly mineralized bone in PLGA/TCP/ICT groups, especially in the PLGA/TCP/MICT group, with correspondingly more new vessel ingrowth. These findings may form a good foundation for potential clinical validation of this innovative bioactive scaffold incorporated with the proper amount of osteopromotive phytomolecule ICT as a ready product for clinical applications.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: S-H
authors: SH
authors: Chen
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lei
authors: X-H
authors: XH
authors: Xie
authors: L-Z
authors: LZ
authors: Zheng
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Yao
authors: X-L
authors: XL
authors: Wang
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Zhao
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kong
authors: D-M
authors: DM
authors: Xiao
authors: D-P
authors: DP
authors: Wang
authors: X-H
authors: XH
authors: Pan
authors: Y-X
authors: YX
authors: Wang
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Qin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011817:Rabbits; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D005419:Flavonoids; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C018392:tricalcium phosphate; C499403:icaritin