Experimental study on lumbar interbody fusion with silk fibroin enhanced calcium phosphate cement composite loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in sheep

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the osteogenic characteristics of an injectable silk fibroin (SF) enhanced calcium phosphate cement (CPC) composite loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on lumbar interbody fusion in sheep. Methods Twenty-four mature sheep were randomly divided into two groups. Each sheep underwent L1.2, L3.4 and L5.6 lumber interbody fusion, and the three disc spaces were randomly implanted with three of the following materials: SF/CPC, CPC/rhBMP-2, SF/CPC/rhBMP2 and autogenous iliac crest bone. One group was killed at 6 months and the other at 12 months. The fusion segments were observed and analyzed by manual palpation, CT scan, undestructive biomechanical testing, undecalcified histology, and histomorphology. Results The fusion rates of SF/CPC, CPC/rhBMP-2, SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 and autogenous bone assessed by manual palpation were 0, 33.33%, 55.56% and 77.78% respectively at 6 months. At 12 months, the fusion rates improved to 11.11%, 44.44%, 77.78% and 77.78%, respectively.The biomechanical results showed that fusion stiffness was significantly greater in autograft compared with SF/CPC/rhBMP-2, CPC/rhBMP-2, and SF/CPC in 4 degrees of freedom (flexion, extension, right bending, and left bending) at 6 months. The SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 composite showed similar stiffness as autograft, which was significantly greater than CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC at 12 nonths. Both CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 showed significantly greater stiffness at 12 months compared with that of at 6 months. The results showed that bone volume was significantly greater in autograft compared with SF/CPC/rhBMP-2, CPC/rhBMP-2, and SF/CPC at 6 months. There was significant difference among ceramic residue among SF/CPC, CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC/rhBMP-2, with SF/CPC the greatest and SF/CPC/thBMP-2 the least. At 12 months, the bone volume of SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 composite was comparable with autograft, and greater than that of CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC. The bone volume of SF/CPC, CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 was significantly greater at 12 months than that of at 6 months. The ceramic residue of SF/CPC, CPC/rhBMP-2 and SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 were significantly decreased. Conclusion The SF/CPC/rhBMP-2 composite had excellent osteoconduction and osteoinduction, and balanced degradation and osteogenesis, which may be a kind of ideal bone grafts in spinal fusion. Key words: Spinal fusion; Bone morphogenetic proteins; Sheep; Silk