Bone healing with niobium-containing bioactive glass composition in rat femur model: A micro-CT study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate bone healing ability of niobium-containing bioactive glasses in rat femur model with quantitative and qualitative measurements through x-ray computed microtomography.


METHODS
Niobium-containing bioactive powders and scaffolds were produced by sol-gel route (BAGNb). Glasses without niobium addition were produced as well (BAG). Five groups were used: BAGNb powders, BAG powders, BAGNb scaffolds, BAG scaffolds and, as a control group, autogenous bone was used. Materials were implanted in the femur of male rats (Wistar Lineage n=10) and the healing was observed after 15, 30 and 60 days. After the post-operative times, samples were scanned by X-ray microcomputed tomography where morphometric measurements and the mineral density were assessed in image software.


RESULTS
No postoperative complications were observed after surgery. BAGNb glasses presented higher mineral deposition, which was observed in the relative volume of bone and the mineral density when compared BAG groups. In these parameters, no statistical difference was found between BAGNb and autogenous bone. The BAGNb powders presented a higher amount of mineralized tissue when compared to BAGNb scaffolds. The analysis of trabecular structure showed lower trabecular formation in synthetic materials when compared to autogenous bone.


SIGNIFICANCE
Niobium-containing bioactive glasses promoted bone formation comparable to that of the autogenous bone without compromising the quality of the formed bone.
['Balbinot|Gabriela de Souza|GS|', 'Leitune|Vicente Castelo Branco|VCB|', 'Ponzoni|Deise|D|', 'Collares|Fabricio Mezzomo|FM|']
D000818:Animals D005269:Femur D005898:Glass D008297:Male D009556:Niobium D010012:Osteogenesis D051381:Rats D017208:Rats, Wistar D054457:Tissue Scaffolds D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
Bioactive glasses Niobium Animal models Bone substitutes