Ameliorative effect of different mesoporous bioactive glass materials in experimental tibial defects in rats

BACKGROUND: Enhancing the bone healing procedure would resultantly improve the post-recovery life quality, as well as the speed with which the patient returns to their former life quality. Porous structures can provide a large surface area and abundant channels to facilitate mass transfer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of mesoporous materials in the bone healing of surgically created defects on the tibiae of male adult Wistar rats. METHODS: The defect areas were evaluated after implantation of 4 types of bioactive glass histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Fifty adult rats were divided into 5 groups including a control group without material. The used products were mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), Cu-MBG, Zn-MBG, and Cu–Zn-MBG. Unicortical bone defects with a 3 mm diameter were performed in both tibiae of the animals and filled with 4 types of glass particles. The rats were then euthanized at 15 d and 30 d. Tibial samples were collected and the tissues forwarded for histological processing, and examined using light microscopy. Additionally, bone healing was evaluated by assessing the levels of bone morphogenetic protein BMP2, collagen 1, osteocalcin (OST), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Within the 15th day, all groups presented connective tissue septa; at the 30th day, the new bone formation was more intense in the Cu–Zn-MBG group. Additionally, BMP2, collagen 1, OST, and VEGF immune expression were more prominent in the Cu–Zn-MBG group. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated that MBG may be used for the repairing of bone defects. Cu–Zn-MBG may be the best choice for this purpose.