A trial of alveolar cleft bone regeneration by controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein: an experimental study in rabbits

Received 26 February 2009; received in revised form 25 May 2009; accepted 29 June 2009. published online 27 September 2009.

Objective

Autologous bone grafting is a currently preferred method for alveolar cleft bone regeneration. However, there are some disadvantages to this technique, including the limited availability of donor sites. In this study, we introduce a novel graft material of gelatin hydrogel enabling the controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) for alveolar cleft bone regeneration.

Study design

Gelatin hydrogels incorporating BMP-2 or BMP-2–free solution and BMP-2 solution were applied to experimental alveolar clefts prepared in the maxillary bone of rabbits. As an additional control, the alveolar clefts were left untreated. Bone regeneration at the alveolar clefts was evaluated by microfocus computerized tomographic, histologic, and histomorphometric examinations.

Results

Significant bone regeneration was observed in the alveolar clefts treated with gelatin hydrogels incorporating BMP-2 compared with other groups.

Conclusion

Gelatin hydrogels incorporating BMP-2 is a promising material for the bone regeneration of alveolar clefts.

a Part-time Lecturer, First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan

b Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

c Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan

d Fellow, Department of Orthodontics, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan

e Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan

f Professor, First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan

g Professor, Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Reprint requests: Prof. Yasuhiko Tabata, PhD, DMedSci, DPharm, Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan

Supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Osaka Dental University Research Funds.

PII: S1079-2104(09)00439-9

doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2009.06.040

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