Evaluation of polycaprolacton (PCL) nanocomposite scaffold in repair of segmental bone defect in rabbit

Over the decades of bone tissue engineering (TE), the use of scaffold-based strategies grafts has become more popular to overcome the problems of autograft. Recently, in order to overcome the disadvantages of autograft and allograft, efforts to find the supporting materials, such as hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate has taken place. Modern methods of tissue engineering and advance in nanotechnology have triggered the use of nanostructures as scaffolds for the purpose of tissue engineering. In this study 60 adult male New Zealand rabbits weighing 3-3.5 kg were prepared with an approximate age of 6-8 months and were divided into four groups. After induction of anesthesia with Ketamine 10% (ketamine hydrochloride, 50 mg/kg), rompun 5% (xylazine, 5 mg/kg), the surgical procedure was performed. An approximately 6 mm diameter defect were created on the one of the hind limbs of rabbit’s femur. The study groups consisted of: the control group without receiving any material, second group that received hydroxyapatite, third group that received β-tricalcium Phosphate (HA+ β-TCP) and fourth group received nanocomposite polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. Samples taken on days 15, 30 and 45 after surgery for histological evaluation determined that the newly formed lamellar bone in PCL nanocomposites compared with the other groups in terms of quantity have been better. In conclusion, nanocomposite polycaprolactone (PCL) exhibited a bone regeneration potential and pplication in tissue engineering.

Keywords:

Bone healing , Nanocomposite polycaprolactone granules , β-tricalcium Phosphate (HA+ β-TCP) , Hydroxyapatite , Histopathological evaluation , Rabbits