Bone fractures associated
with osteoporosis are a major concern
all over the world especially among the elderly population and postmenopausal
women. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used clinically
for both treatment and prevention of osteoporosis despite their poor
oral bioavailability and undesired side effects. Local delivery of
BPs from polymeric scaffolds can improve the efficacy and overcome
the undesirable side effects associated with oral bisphosphonate therapy.
The aim of the present study is to explore the effectiveness of pamidronate
(PDS) encapsulated electrospun polycaprolactone/polycaprolactone–polyethyleneglycol–polycaprolactone/nanohydroxyapatite
(PCH) scaffolds in healing critical-size calvarial defects in an osteoporotic
rat animal model. Prior to implantation studies, the effect of PDS
on the fiber architecture, mechanical properties, and in vitro degradation behavior was evaluated. The in vitro release of PDS from PCH scaffolds in phosphate buffer saline (PBS)
at 37 °C was monitored for a period of 21 days. An osteoporotic
animal model was successfully developed in Wistar rats by bilateral
ovariectomy. Results of micro CT (computed tomography) and blood serum
analysis confirmed the osteoporotic model induction in rats. Critical-size
calvarial defects of 8 mm size were created in osteoporotic rats,
and the in vivo osteogenic efficacy of PCH-PDS scaffolds
was evaluated by micro CT, histology, and histomorphometry. Micro
CT analysis showed improved osseous tissue integration with the use
of PDS-loaded PCH scaffolds after 12 week post implantation. Histology,
density measurement using micro CT, and histomorphometry further substantiate
that PCH-PDS scaffolds have the potential to be used for the repair
of osteoporotic bone defects. Our findings revealed that incorporation
of PDS onto PCH scaffolds provides a promising biomaterial that could
be used for regenerating osteoporosis-related fractures.
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