Effect of Gellan Gum/Tuna Skin Film in Guided Bone Regeneration in Artificial Bone Defect in Rabbit Calvaria

It is necessary to prevent the invasion of soft tissue into bone defects for successful outcomes in guided bone regeneration (GBR). For this reason, many materials are used as protective barriers to bone defects. In this study, a gellan gum/tuna skin gelatin (GEL/TSG) film was prepared, and its effectiveness in bone regeneration was evaluated. The film exhibited average cell viability in vitro. Experimental bone defects were prepared in rabbit calvaria, and a bone graft procedure with beta-tricalcium phosphate was done. The film was used as a membrane of GBR and compared with results using a commercial collagen membrane. Grafted material did not show dispersion outside of bone defects and the film did not collapse into the bone defect. New bone formation was comparable to that using the collagen membrane. These results suggest that the GEL/TSG film could be used as a membrane for GBR.