Repair of Segmental Defects with Nano-hydroxyapatite/Collagen/PLA Composite Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the capacity of fresh-frozen allogeneic bone, nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/PLA (nHAC/PLA) scaffold, and nHAC/PLA scaffold loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in inducing bone formation. A 10mm segmental rabbit radial defect was surgically created. The animals were divided into four groups in which the defect was either left untreated, or filled with the abovementioned three grafts. The animals were euthanized at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 18 weeks. Radiographic and histologic analyses were performed on the harvested tissue. We show that nHAC/PLA composite combined with mesenchymal stem cells could enhance and accelerate bone formation in segmental defects of rabbits. nHAC/PLA composite is an ideal bone graft; implanting nHAC/PLA composite combined with mesenchymal stem cells is a potential method for surgical treatment of bone defects.