2018 Volume 30 Issue 4 Pages 449-457
Autogenous bone grafting is the most widely accepted approach for repairing bone defects, yet limitations in the donor site and subsequent morbidity associated with harvesting bone from other sites remain as major concerns. Consequently, synthetic bone-like biocomposites have drawn much attention as a novel regenerative strategy. This study evaluated the regenerative properties of our prototype β-TCP/collagen composite in an animal model. We prepared the original β-TCP/collagen composite by mixing an acidic atelocollagen gel and alkaline colloidal β-TCP, and Raman microspectroscopy of the composite revealed the typical spectral features attributable to bone after manual mixing. We then transplanted either the composite or collagen alone into a full-thickness trephine defect made in the calvarial bone of rats. At 8 weeks after implantation, the elastic modulus of regenerated bone that developed alongside the composite was comparable to that of native cortical bone. Decalcification and processing of the calvarial bones for histological observation revealed that the β-TCP/collagen enabled better bone regenerative properties compared to collagen alone. Our newly developed β-TCP/collagen composite imitates the structural properties of bone, and thus provides a potentially useful scaffold material to support the mechanical integrity of regenerated bone.
