Bone Regeneration Using Collagenated Synthetic Bone Graft Attached to Collagen Membrane with 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA)

Abstract

Purpose: The stability of graft material and membrane is crucial for successful guided bone regeneration. As 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA) is known to contribute to the adhesiveness of natural mussel adhesive proteins, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and bone regeneration using collagenated synthetic bone graft attached to the collagen membrane with DOPA in the rabbit calvaria model. Materials and Methods: Four circular bone defects of 8 mm diameter were created in the rabbit calvarium. Each defect in the calvarium was randomly allocated to 1) sham control group, 2) bone graft using a particle-type synthetic bone substitute (OP) group, 3) bone graft using collagenated synthetic bone block (OC) group, or 4) bone graft using the collagenated synthetic bone graft attached to collagen membrane with DOPA (OC-DOPA) group. A total of 10 rabbits were sacrificed at either 2 or 8 weeks post-surgery. Results: During histometric analysis, new bone formation in the OC-DOPA group was significantly greater than that in sham control at 8 weeks. On the contrary, there was no statistically significant difference in new bone area (NBA) between OC-DOPA and OC. Histologic analysis revealed infiltrations of inflammatory cells in the OP, OC, and OC-DOPA groups at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, there were no remarkable inflammatory cells in the OP and OC groups. However, multinucleated giant cells (MNGC) were observed till 8 weeks in the OC-DOPA group.. Conclusion: The collagenated synthetic bone graft attached to the collagen membrane using DOPA showed its potential for guided bone regeneration. However, MNGC were observed until the late healing period.