Arthrodesis of Lumbar Spine Transverse Processes Using Nacre in Rabbit

Abstract

This study compares the osteogenic effects of nacre and autogenous bone grafts in a rabbit model of lumbar spine transverse process arthrodesis. A total of 15 rabbits were processed for arthrodesis between the fifth and sixth lumbar vertebrae using nacre powder mixed with autologous blood or autogenous iliac crest bone. Control rabbits were sham operated. Sample vertebrae were removed from the nacre-implanted rabbits at 2, 5, and 11 weeks postsurgery. The autogenous bone graft and sham-operated groups were processed for histological study 11 weeks postsurgery. The results for the three groups were compared at 11 weeks. The nacre-implanted samples taken at 2 weeks showed that the nacre was well tolerated by the host tissue. Endochondral bone formation was seen in the region of the dissolving nacre particles by 5 weeks. The newly formed bone formed a solid fusion between the transverse processes in one-third of the rabbits. There was still new bone formation at 11 weeks at the nacre implant site. Two-thirds of the rabbits had formed a solid fusion. Light microscopy also showed new bone formation 11 weeks after the autologous bone graft.

The effect of molecules in mother-of-pearl on the decrease in bone resorption through the inhibition of osteoclast cathepsin K

“…Recent studies revealed that nacre contains one or more signal molecules capable of activating osteogenic bone cells, in vivo and in vitro, leading to bone formation [19,20]. Water-soluble molecules diffusing from nacre powder are recognized by mammalian cells and induce recruitment and differentiation of fibroblasts from the connective tissue and bone marrow stromal cells into osteoblasts [4].…”

Biomimetics and Marine Materials in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

“…Testing of nacre has been carried out on human, rabbit, and sheep models [34,35]. In human patients, fresh woven bone bonded itself all the way through the nacre implant, augmented by the heightened activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.…”

“…In human patients, fresh woven bone bonded itself all the way through the nacre implant, augmented by the heightened activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Its degradation and resorption are limited even though nacre is stably tolerated in vivo, and this could impede its use within calcified tissue requiring rapid self-renewal [34,35]. While in some way controversial in definition, according to nacre researchers the "water-soluble matrix fraction" (WSM) of nacre directly induces bone formation [36].…”

Osteogenic Potency of Nacre on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Although there are many thousands of types of nacre seashell from different marine molluscs, pearl oyster ( Pinctada maxima ) nacre is the only species so far tested and validated for osteoinduction. Pearl oyster nacre is able to induce osteogenesis and bone formation from latent osteoprogenitors along an endochondral pathway, consisting of a cartilage tissue intermediary phase (Lamghari et al, 2001a; 2001b; Lopez et al, 1992; 2004a; 2004b; Milet et al, 2004; Shen et al, 2006; Silve et al, 1992). Nacre has been tested in human, sheep and rabbit models (Lamghari et al, 1999; 2001b; Liao et al, 2002).…”