Scaffolds of bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate^®) and bone healing: A biological evaluation in an experimental model of tibial bone defect in rats

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Pinto, Karina Nogueira Zambone^a | Tim, Carla Roberta^{b; f} | Crovace, Murilo Camuri^c | Rossi, Bruno Rafael Orsini^d | Kido, Hueliton Wilian^{f; g;} | Parizotto, Nivaldo Antonio^{b; e} | Zanotto, Edgar Dutra^c | Peitl, Oscar^c | Rennó, Ana Claudia^f

Affiliations: [a] Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil | [b] Technological and Scientific Institute, Brazil University (UnBr), São Paulo, SP, Brazil | [c] Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil | [d] Paulista University (UNIP), São José do Rio Pardo, SP, Brazil | [e] Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil | [f] Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil | [g] Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), Bauru, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Hueliton Wilian Kido, PhD, Department of Bioscience, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), 136 Silva Jardim st., Santos, Brazil. Tel.: +55 1338783700; Fax: +55 1332232592; E-mail: kidohw@gmail.com

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the in vivo tissue response of the Biosilicate® scaffolds in a model of tibial bone defect. Sixty male Wistar rats were distributed into bone defect control group (CG) and Biosilicate® scaffold group (BG).  Animals were euthanized 15, 30 and 45 days post-surgery. Stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, histopathological, immunohistochemistry and biomechanical analysis were used. Scaffolds had a total porosity of 44%, macroporosity of 15% with pore diameter of 230 μm. Higher amount of newly formed bone was observed on days 30 and 45 in BG. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the COX-2 expression was significantly higher on days 15 and 30 in BG compared with the CG. RUNX-2 immunoexpression was significantly higher in BG on days 15 and 45. No statistically significant difference was observed in RANKL immunoexpression in all experimental groups. BMP-9 immunoexpression was significantly upregulated in the BG on day 45. Biomechanical analysis showed a decrease in the biomechanical properties of the bone callus on days 30 and 45. The implantation of the Biosilicate® scaffolds was effective in stimulating newly bone formation and produced an increased immunoexpression of markers related to the bone repair.

Keywords: Biosilicate^®, glass-ceramic, scaffold, bone repair, rats

DOI: 10.3233/BME-181016

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 665-683, 2018