Osteoinductivity Depends on the Ratio of Demineralized Bone Matrix to Acellular Dermal Matrix in Defects in Rat Skulls

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is the most commonly used allograft material. DBM has been applied in various fields because its healing effects are similar to those of autografts, with fewer side effects. Efforts to enhance its convenience have explored the use of human acellular dermal matrix (AM) as a carrier graft material for defective soft tissue, given the difficulty of using solid particles of DBM. The induction ability of AM combined with the osteoinduction ability of DBM is considered to have a synergistic effect. This study evaluated the outcomes of treatment with various ratios of a DBM/AM mixture in defects in rat skulls. Imaging measurements and histological analyses were performed 4 and 8 weeks after treatment to investigate the characteristics and formation of new bone in treated and untreated groups. Groups treated with 7:3 and 5:5 DBM: AM ratios showed no difference in osteogenetic ability compared with the group treated with DBM alone. This finding indicates that the use of a proper DBM: AM ratio maintains osteogenetic ability, providing a convenient and sufficient clinical application. This DBM/AM mixture is the first graft material developed in Korea.