title: Hydroxyapatite and demineralized calf fetal growth plate effects on bone healing in rabbit model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and their composite are promising biomaterials, specifically in the orthopedic and dental fields, as their chemical composition is similar to that of bone. Due to the need for safer bone graft applications, these bone graft substitutes are gradually gaining increased acceptability. To stimulate the process of bone healing, several methods have been used previously, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, exposure to electromagnetic fields, bone grafts, interporous hydroxyapatite (as a bone graft substitute) and bone growth factors. The following study was designed to evaluate the effects of the concurrent usage of hydroxyapatite with demineralized calf fetal growth plate (DCFGP) on the bone healing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen female New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. A mid-radius bone defect was created and in the first group (n = 5) was filled with hydroxyapatite, in the second group (n = 5) with hydroxyapatite and DCFGP, and finally in the third group (n = 5) with DCFGP alone. Radiological and histopathological evaluations were performed blindly and the results scored and analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference for bone formation and remodeling at the 8th post-operative week radiographic assessment (P < 0.05), when the hydroxyapatite-DCFGP group was superior to other groups. On the contrary, macroscopical and histopathological evaluation did not revealed significant differences between the three groups
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the contrasting results of the radiographic assessment and the macro-/microscopic analysis of the healing response, further studies are needed before considering DCFGP-HA as a feasible alternative to HA alone, especially considering the potential hazards and costs of animal-derived biomaterials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran, dr.bigham@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bigham-Sadegh
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shadkhast
authors.forename: Mohamad-Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mahdavi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017886:Durapatite / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000196:embryology* / Q000637:transplantation; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D011884:Radius / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D017886:Durapatite