Improved Bone Formation in Osteoporotic Rabbits with the Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (rhBMP-2) Coated Titanium Screws Which Were Coated By Using Plasma Polymerization Technique

Abstract

Delaying of bone fusion in osteoporotic patients underwent spinal stabilization surgery leads to screw loosening, and this causes pseudoarticulation, mobility and fibrosis at vertebral segments. To prevent these complications, the screws coated with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) could be used. To verify this hypothesis, we coated 5 Titanium screws with rhBMP-2 using plasma polymerization method, and also used 10 uncoated screws for making comparison between coated and uncoated screws in different groups. And 15 skeletally mature white New Zealand female rabbits were assigned into three different groups: Group 1(N = 5): No osteoporosis induction and insertion of uncoated Titanium screw into right sacrum of each rabbit in group 1; group 2 (N = 5): Osteoporosis induction and insertion of uncoated Titanium screw into right sacrum of each rabbit in group 2; group 3 (N = 5) rhBMP-2 coated Titanium screw inserted into right sacrum of each rabbit in group 3. In summary, using of these coated screws provides new bone formation, but causes less fibrosis and less inflammation than uncoated screws at the interface between the coated screw and bone. Then the plasma polymerization technique provides controlled releasing of rhBMP-2 from the screw to the bone tissue in osteoporotic rabbits.