This study evaluated the osteogenic capacity of a new fibrin sealant (FS) combined with bone graft and laser irradiation in the bone repair. Defects were created in the skull of 30 rats and filled with autogenous graft and FS derived from snake venom. Immediately after implantation, low-power laser was applied on the surgical site. The animals were divided in: control group with autogenous graft (G1), autogenous graft and laser 5 J/cm2 (G2), autogenous graft and laser 7 J/cm2 (G3), autogenous graft and FS (G4), autogenous graft, FS and laser 5 J/cm2 (G5), autogenous graft, FS and laser 7 J/cm2 (G6). The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after implant. Results showed absence of inflammatory infiltrate in the bone defect. New bone formation occurred in all groups, but it was most intense in G6. Thus, the FS and laser 7 J/cm2 showed osteoconductive capacity and can be an interesting resource to be applied in surgery of bone reconstruction.

Biomaterials with the hydroxyapatite and biopolymers such as chitosan derived of crustaceans are is an alternative for bone repair. Carbon nanotubes have been a focus of interest because they can ameliorate the biomechanical properties of biomaterials. The objective of this study was to evaluate these materials in the repair of cranial defects in rats. The animals were divided in groups: without implant (G1), implanted with the chitosan/carbon nanotube membrane (G2), and chitosan/nanotube membrane mineralized with hydroxyapatite (G3). The animals were sacrificed 5 weeks after surgery and the skulls were removed for analysis of the defect area. The results showed absence of chronic inflammatory and little bone neoformation in the defect area of all groups. In G2 and G3 there was lack of reabsorption of the biomaterial that were encapsulated by connective tissue. In conclusion, the biomaterials were biocompatible, but their specific physicochemical properties did not indicate a considerable osteoregenerative capacity.

Diabetes mellitus can cause various diseases, including loss of bone mineral density as a characteristic manifestation of osteoporosis. In this condition, bone is more vulnerable to pathologic fractures that can be treated by implantation of biomaterial grafts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteogenic capacity of hydroxyapatite implanted into bone defects in the skull of nonobese diabetic mice. Fifteen nonobese diabetic mice were divided into 3 groups: control (nondiabetic), spontaneously diabetic, and spontaneously diabetic receiving insulin replacement applied subcutaneously into the dorsum. Defects were created experimentally in the skull with a surgical bur and filled with hydroxyapatite granules. The animals were killed 4 weeks after surgery, and samples were obtained for analysis. Quantitative methods were used for measurement of the new bone formation. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05). Radiographic results showed good radiopacity of the hydroxyapatite; however, radiolucent spots were seen between the hydroxyapatite granules in the diabetic groups, indicating infiltration of connective tissue. Microscopic results showed projections of newly formed bone from the margin of bone defect toward the implant. The quantity of newly formed bone was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that observed in the diabetic groups. The recipient area of diabetic groups contained a larger amount of connective tissue as demonstrated by radiographic analyses. In conclusion, the osteogenesis guided by the properties of hydroxyapatite may even occur in bone suffering from the effects of diabetes, but the quantity of newly formed bone is lower, and the process is slower.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of collagen, elastin, or chitosan biomaterial for bone reconstruction in rats submitted or not to experimental alcoholism. Wistar male rats were divided into eight groups, submitted to chronic alcohol ingestion (G5 to G8) or not (G1 to G4). Nasal bone defects were filled with clot in animals of G1 and G5 and with collagen, elastin, and chitosan grafts in G2/G6, G3/G7, and G4/G8, respectively. Six weeks after, all specimens underwent radiographic, tomographic, and microscopic evaluations. Bone mineral density was lower in the defect area in alcoholic animals compared to the abstainer animals. Bone neoformation was greater in the abstainer groups receiving the elastin membrane and in abstainer and alcoholic rats receiving the chitosan membrane (15.78 ± 1.19, 27.81 ± 0.91, 47.29 ± 0.97, 42.69 ± 1.52, 13.81 ± 1.60, 18.59 ± 1.37, 16.54 ± 0.89, and 37.06 ± 1.17 in G1 to G8, respectively). In conclusion, osteogenesis and bone density were more expressive after the application of the elastin matrix in abstainer animals and of the chitosan matrix in both abstainer and alcoholic animals. Chronic alcohol ingestion resulted in lower bone formation and greater formation of fibrous connective tissue.

Bone regeneration is the result of cellular events such as osteogenesis and neovascularization. However, implantation of autogenous grafts may be necessary in cases of bone mass loss due to high impact trauma. The disadvantages of the latter approach include morbidity of the donor area. Biomaterials represent an alternative for bone restoration. The most widely used compounds are collagen or hydroxyapatite membranes because of their biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Laser therapy has been applied in combination with these implants to accelerate bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of rat left tibial bone defects filled with hydroxyapatite or collagen membrane. Twenty rats were used. Surgical bone defects were created in the proximal third of the left tibia, and the animals were divided into four groups according to treatment: animals receiving hydroxyapatite implants (group H), animals receiving collagen implants (group C), animals treated with hydroxyapatite plus LLLT (group HL), and animals treated with collagen membrane plus LLLT (group CL). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery, and the bone samples were obtained for analysis. Histomorphometrical methods were used for new bone quantification. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (p &lt; 0.05). Histological analysis showed the formation of new bone in the implant area with cortical aspect in groups. Bone neoformation was also demonstrated on radiographs as radiopacity of the hydroxyapatite granules and of the contour of the defects implanted with the collagen membrane. However, no significant difference for new bone formation was observed between the groups studied. The biomaterials used were presented good osteoconduction; however, the laser therapy protocol used was not adequate to accelerate the osteogenic process in the bone defect regeneration in the advanced bone healing process.