Bone Formation Effect of the RGD-bioconjugated Mussel Adhesive Proteins Composite Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Hydrogel Based Nano Hydroxyapatite and Collagen Membrane in Rabbits

Abstract

Injectable RGD-bioconjugated Mussel Adhesive Proteins (RGD-MAPs) composite hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) hydrogels provide local periodontal tissue for bone filling in periodontal surgery. Previously we developed a novel type of injectable self-supported hydrogel (2 mg/ml of RGD-MAPs/HPMC) based porcine nano hydroxyapatite (MPH) for dental graft, which could good handling property, biodegradation or biocompatibility with the hydrogel disassembly and provided efficient cell adhesion activity and no inflammatory responses. Herein, the aim of this work was to evaluate bone formation following implantation of MPH and collagen membrane in rabbit calvarial defects. Eight male New Zealand rabbits were used and four circular calvarial defects were created on each animal. Defects were filled with different graft materials: 1) collagen membrane, 2) collagen membrane with MPH, 3) collagen membrane with bovine bone hydroxyapatite (BBH), and 4) control. The animals were sacrificed after 2 and 8 weeks of healing periods for histologic analysis. Both sites receiving MPH and BBH showed statistically increased augmented volume and new bone formation (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in new bone formation between the MPH, BBH and collagen membrane group at all healing periods. Within the limits of this study, collagen membrane with MPH was an effective material for bone formation and space maintaining in rabbit calvarial defects.