Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Bone tissue engineering offers a potential alternative to conventional grafting by combining biocompatible scaffolds with biological stimulants. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester with good mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a calcium phosphate mineral that is a major component of bone and has excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. This research investigated the histopathological effects of PCL-HA nanocomposite scaffolds along with their combination with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), on the regeneration of bone in rabbit calvarial bone defects. Four circular full-thickness bone defects of 5.00 mm in diameter were created on the calvarial bone of 15 male New Zealand white rabbits. Three defects were filled with PRF, PCL-HA, and PCL-HA/PRF, and one defect was served as a control with no filler. Histopathological evaluations were conducted at 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks post-implantation. Data were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Significant differences were observed between the treatment and control groups regarding bone regeneration throughout all 12^th weeks studied. In the 4^th weeks, no significant differences in bone regeneration were noted among the treatment groups. In the 8^th weeks, most new bone formation was observed in the PCL-HA/PRF group. Both the PCL-HA and PCL-HA/PRF groups significantly improved bone regeneration compared to the control and PRF groups, with the PCL-HA/PRF group demonstrating the greatest bone formation, and vascularization and the lowest inflammation by the 12^th week. Thus, PCL-HA/PRF could be considered as a suitable alternative to bone grafts and could be increasingly utilized in orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering.

Abstract Osteomyelitis is caused by the local spread of an infected source adjacent to the infection following trauma, bone surgery or joint replacement. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vancomycin (Van)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite in comparison with curcumin (Cur)/PCL on the healing of experimental osteomyelitis in tibia in rabbits. After induction of osteomyelitis forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Control group: The animals were considered as controls and no scaffolds were used. In PCL/Van group, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Van. In PCL/Cur, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Cur. Polycaprolactone/Cur/Van group: The created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL, Cur and Van. Bone samples were taken for histopathological evaluation on the 30^th and 60^th days. For radiological evaluations of the osteomyelitis, radiographs were prepared at time intervals zero (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after surgery. In order to evaluate hematology, blood was taken on days 0 (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60. The results of the present study showed that Cur nanocomposite significantly improved the healing process of the rabbit tibia experimental osteomyelitis model compared to the control group. Also, the PCL/Cur/Van group showed the best healing results. In conclusion, PCL/Cur/Van nanocomposite scaffold showed positive effects on the healing process.