Healing of gap nonunion using autologous cultured osteoblasts impregnated over three-dimensional bio-degradable nanomaterial scaffold: A pilot experiment on rabbits

Abstract

Background: Non union is a failure of fractured bones to unite.For successful treatment of non union the addition Of autograft at fracture site is recommended but it has its own disadvantages to overcome this recent studies have focused on bone tissue engineering. Bone tissue engineering involves the use of a combination of scaffolds with osteoblasts or osteogenic potential cells to form bone tissue, which can lead to new bone formation at the affected area when implanted in vivo. Aims and Objective: To present our results with the use of a novel concept of using nanomaterial bioscaffold impregnated with cultured osteoblast over experimentally created bone defects with critical size defect in rabbits. Materials and Methods: We studied the effect of nano-hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate-gelatin-chitosan scaffold impregnated with autologous cultured osteoblast on gap created on 16 iliac crests of eight rabbits. The right side was implanted, and on the left side, the gap nonunion was left as control. Rabbits were followed up at 4, 8, 12, and 20 weeks for radiographic union of scaffold and gross and microscopic examination at the final sacrifice at 20 weeks for assessment of scaffold loosening, osteogenesis, immunological reaction, and persistence of graft. Result: Statistically significant difference was found between osteointegration of scaffold, however it persisted even at 20 weeks, but no immunogenicity was observed. Conclusion: Use of nanomaterials and chitosan can attributably improve the osteogenesis by autologous osteoblasts in gap nonunion.