The histological assessment of new bone formation with zolendronic acid loaded bone allograft in rabbit femoral bone defect

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of zolendronic acid (ZOL) combined with bone allograft prepared using the Marburg Bone Bank System on bone formation in the implant remodeling zone. Femoral bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 10 mm were created in 32 rabbits. Animals were divided into 2 similar groups: Group 1 (control), where defects were filled with bone allograft, and Group 2, where allograft was combined with ZOL. Eight animals from each group were sacrificed at 14- and 60-days post-surgery and bone defect healing was assessed using histopathological and histomorphometric analyses after 14 and 60 days. The results showed that new bone formation within the bone allograft was significantly greater in the control group than in the ZOL-treated group after 14 and 60 days (p<0.05). In conclusion, local co-administration of ZOL on heat-treated allograft inhibits allograft resorption and new bone formation in the bone defect.