Establishment of the chronic bone defect model in experimental model mandible and evaluation of the efficacy of the mesenchymal stem cells in enhancing bone regeneration

Abstract

Stem cells can be isolated postnatally in different tissues including bone marrow, adipose tissue, muscle, and periosteum. Research has been performed using stem cell combined with scaffold to regenerate bony defect. The aim of this study was (1) to establish the chronic bone defect model for studying bone regeneration in alveolar process of rabbit mandible and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) derived from the mandible in enhancing bone regeneration. The defects measuring 6 (mesio-distal) × 4 (buscco-lingual) × 3 mm (apicocoronal) was prepared between the canine and the premolar area in New Zealand White rabbits. The defects were left untreated for 5 weeks to achieve chronic defect. The defect area was grafted with MSC loaded with deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) in test group. The positive control group was grafted with DBB only. No grafted group served as negative control. The average percentage of new bone formation at the test and control sites was determined at 4 weeks. Newly formed bone seemed to be integrated well with grafted particle. Test group (DBB+MSC) showed significant increase of bone when compared with positive control group (DBB) (p < 0.05). Within the limits of this study, it could suggest that the MSC from mandible may be considered as a treatment option in enhancing bone regeneration.