Nerve growth factor-chondroitin sulfate/hydroxyapatite-coating composite implant induces early osseointegration and nerve regeneration of peri-implant tissues in Beagle dogs

BACKGROUND: Osseointegration is the premise of the chewing function of dental implant. Nerve growth factor (NGF), as a neurotrophic factor, can induce bone healing. However, the influence of NGF-chondroitin sulfate (CS)/hydroxyapatite (HA)-coating composite implant on the osseointegration and innervations is still not entirely clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NGF-CS/HA-coating composite implants were prepared using the modified biomimetic method. The characteristics of NGF-CS/HA-coating implants were determined using a scanning electron microscope. After NGF-CS/HA-coating implants were placed in the mandible of Beagle dogs, the early osseointegration and innervation in peri-implant tissues were assessed through X-ray, Micro-CT, maximal pull-out force, double fluorescence staining, toluidine blue staining, DiI neural tracer, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR assays. RESULTS: NGF-CS/HA-coating composite implants were made successfully, which presented porous mesh structures with the main components (Ti and HA). Besides, we revealed that implantation of NGF-CS/HA-coating implants significantly changed the morphology of bone tissues and elevated maximum output, MAR, BIC, and nerve fiber in the mandible of Beagle dogs. Moreover, we proved that the implantation of NGF-CS/HA-coating implants also markedly upregulated the levels of NGF, osteogenesis differentiation, and neurogenic differentiation-related genes in the mandible of Beagle dogs. CONCLUSION: Implantation of NGF-CS/HA-coating composite implants has significant induction effects on the early osseointegration and nerve regeneration of peri-implant tissues in the mandible of Beagle dogs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-020-02177-5.