Partial load-bearing rabbit ulnar segmental defects are regenerated with biocompatible grafts with or without bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: The autologous bone grafts still have been used as the gold standard to initiate and facilitate bone healing in cases with bone defects. Because of some disadvantages of autologous bone grafts, the new biocomposite grafts have been researched. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) loaded into a biocomposite scaffold enhance bone regeneration. METHODS: In our study, a 10 mm osteoperiosteal segmental bone defect was created in the middle of the right and left ulnar bones of eight rabbits. The created defects were filled in the right ulnar bones of eight rabbits (Group I) with BM-MSCs loaded onto a biocomposite scaffold (Plexur PTM, Osteotech, Eatontown, NJ, USA) and in the other ulnar bones of the same rabbits (Group II) with only biocomposite graft. Radiographs of each forelimb were taken postoperatively at the end of the 6th week. Then, the rabbits were euthanized pharmacologically for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Were scored using a modified Lane and Sandhu scoring system. All defects healed in both groups. Radiological and histological total scores were slightly better in Group I, but statistical tests did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups at the end of the 6th week radiologically and histologically (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrated that in rabbit ulnar segmental bone defect model was obtained satisfactory regeneration with using biocomposite graft with or without BM-MSCs.