Repair of radius defect with bone-morphogenetic-protein loaded hydroxyapatite/collagen-poly(L-lactic acid) composite

Objective: To explore the method to repair bone defect with bone-morphogenetic-protein loaded hydroxyapatite/collagen-poly(L-lactic acid) composite. Methods: 18 adult beagle dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups. In Group A, bone-morphogenetic-protein (BMP) loaded hydroxyapatite/collagen-poly(L-lactic acid) (HAC-PLA) scaffold was implanted in a 2 cm diaphyseal defect in the radius. In Group B, unloaded pure HAC-PLA scaffold was implanted in the defects. No material was implanted in Group C (control group). The dogs were sacrificed 6 months postoperatively. Features of biocompatibility, biodegradability and osteoinduction were evaluated with histological, radiological examinations and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Results: In Group A, the radius defect healed after the treatment with BMP loaded HAC-PLA. BMD at the site of the defect was higher than that of the contralateral radius. Fibrous union developed in the animals of the control group. Conclusions: BMP not only promotes osteogenesis but also accelerates degradation of the biomaterials. Optimized design parameters of a three-dimensional porous biomaterial would give full scope to the role of BMP as an osteoinductive growth factor.