Experimental study on the chitosan combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for the repair of rabbit with bone defect

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of chitosan combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the repair of rabbit with bone defect. Methods 45 rabbits with bone defect were randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A: defect was not filled with any implants;Group B: defect was filled with chitosan; Group C: defect was filled with chitosan combined with bone MSCs.The expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the 3 groups were observed by imaging and histology in the 4, 8 and 12 week after treatment. Results Group C had a better osteogenesis ability than group A and B. Group B had a better osteogenesis ability than group A.New bones and osteogenesis were obviously observed in group C in the 4 week, and the defect areas in group C were almost repaired 12 weeks after operation;The number and diameter of capillaries,percentage of vacant lacunae in group C were (7.8±1.4), (9.0±1.7) μm and (24.8±5.6)%, compared with the group A and B, it improved significantly (P<0.05);The expression of BMP-2 in group C every time were (9.8±1.5)%, (11.2±2.0)% and (16.7±2.5)%, compared with the group A and B,it improved significantly (P<0.05) during all periods.There was no significant foreign body reaction to chitosan in group B and C. Conclusion Chitosan is a superior material for repairing bone defect, and chitosan combined with MSCs have potential applications in treating bone defect. Key words: Chitosan; Marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Repair; Bone defect