Animal Models

P017 - Enhancement of Bone Defects in Rabbits Using a Mixture of Atelocollagen Gel and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate

Corresponding Author
Disclosure
No Significant Commercial Relationship
Presentation Topic
Animal Models
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Abstract

Purpose

Atelocollagen is a soluble collagen without an antigenic telopeptide and consists of collagen fibril, thus, it acts as a scaffold for bone growth and also promotes osteoblast differentiation and type I collagen production. Some studies have reported clinical trials in which atelocollagen was used to treat cartilage defects. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been few reports of atelocollagen application in cases of nonunion or delayed union with or without bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Our study intended to examine whether the use of atelocollagen and BMAC could promote fracture healing.

Methods and Materials

We compared the effects of atelocollagen injection alone and the injection of a mixture of atelocollagen and BMAC on fracture healing. Radial shaft defects of about 10 mm in size were created in 30 New Zealand white rabbits. Ten rabbits in the control group were not treated further, 10 rabbits in the first experimental group (E1) received an atelocollagen injection, and 10 rabbits in the second experimental group (E2) received an injection of a mixture of atelocollagen and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. The groups were compared hisologically and radiologically at 8 weeks.

Results

Defects were replaced by firm tissue which afforded stability to the defect area in both experimental groups, E1 and E2, but fibrous tissue formation was observed in the control group. The newly formed tissues in all groups were continuous with surrounding tissues. Bone formation in group E2 was more prominent than that in the control group and group E1, showing full callus formation and continuity between the osteotomy site and the defect. The control group showed slight callus formation in the osteotomy area, but not in the middle of the defect

Conclusion

The administration of a mixture of atelocollagen and bone marrow aspirate concentrate in bone defects was found to enhance bone defect healing.

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