In vivo testing of a bone graft containing chitosan, calcium sulfate and osteoblasts in a paste form in a critical size defect model in rats

Abstract

Bone loss associated with musculoskeletal trauma or metabolic diseases often require bone grafting. The supply of allograft and autograft bones is limited. Hence, development of synthetic bone grafting materials is an active area of research. Chitosan, extracted from chitin present in crawfish shells, was tested as a delivery vehicle for osteoblasts in a 2-3 mm size defect model in rats. Twenty-seven male Lewis rats, divided into three groups with sacrifice intervals of 3, 6 & 9 months were used. In the experimental samples, a critical size defect was filled with chitosan bone graft paste and fixed with a plate, while in the operated control group, a critical size defect was repaired only by a plate (no paste was applied). An unoperated control group was also included. Bone growth was evaluated histologically by examining undecalcified and decalcified stained sections. The femurs were also examined non-destructively by micro-computed tomography (µCT). Defects filled with chitosan bone graft paste demonstrated superior healing across all time periods compared to unfilled defects as examined by histology and micro-computed tomography. Crawfish chitosan has successfully been used as a cell delivery system for osteoblasts for use as a synthetic bone graft material.

3D bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…As a versatile, semi-synthetic polymer it has favourable biocompatibility and biodegradability in addition to antibacterial and bioadhesive characteristics [197] , [224] , [225] . Within BTE chitosan has been combined with a number of materials in scaffolds including calcium phosphate [226] , calcium sulfate [227] , hydroxyapatite [228] and other natural polymers including silk [229] , [230] , [231] .…”

Chitosan and Its Potential Use as a Scaffold for Tissue Engineering in Regenerative Medicine

“…These assays evaluate composite cytocompatibility and cytotoxicity, in addition to its intinsic capacity of induction of cellular differentiation [ 109 ]. Finally the efficacy in the treatment of surgical defects on animal models is evaluated [ 21 , 107 , 110 ].…”