Bone Healing of Critical-Sized Femoral Defects in Rats Treated with Erythropoietin Alone or in Combination with Xenograft

Abstract

Critical-size bone defect models are the standard in studies of the osteogenic potential of biomaterials. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the ability of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to induce trabecular bone healing either alone or combined with a xenograft in a rat femoral critical-size defect model. Five-mm bone defects were created in the femoral diaphysis of fifty-six skeletally mature male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into six groups: one control group and five experimental groups. The defects in the control group were left empty, whereas an absorbable collagen cone soaked either with saline or erythropoietin (alone or in combination with xenograft) was placed in locally treated groups. The systemic treatment group received EPO subcutaneously. Bone formation was objectively evaluated through radiography, osteodensitometry and histological examination on post-operative days 30 and 90. The results demonstrate that EPO, locally applied on a collagen scaffold, was capable of inducing bone healing, whereas the single systemically administered high EPO dose had only an insignificant effect on bone formation. The combination of EPO with a bone substitute under the form of cancellous granules resulted in more rapid integration between the xenograft and host bone.

Evaluation of recombinant human erythropoietin as promoter of bone healing in cats with femoral fractures

“…Previous experimental studies on calvarial and long bones in rats showed that EPO had an osteoinductive potential and that its local application resulted in healing of critical bone defects ( Chaprazov et al , 2022 ; Vasileva and Chaprazov, 2023 ). Similar studies were performed also in mice and rabbits with promising results regarding the regenerative potential of EPO ( Holstein et al , 2011 ; Rölfing et al , 2012 ).…”

Effects of Erythropoietin-Promoted Fracture Healing on Bone Turnover Markers in Cats

“…Lately, the focus of research is on the combined application of erythropoietin with bone grafting or biomaterials such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, or biphasic calcium phosphate [16][17][18][19]. Novel silk fibroin/collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds obtained via 3D printing technology and loaded with rhEpo have been used in the reconstruction of alveolar bone defects in rabbits [20].…”