Effects of nerve growth factor on callus mineralization in a rabbit model of distraction osteogenesis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of locally applied NGF to enhance callus mineralization in a rabbit model of mandibular distraction osteogenesis. METHODS: 20 New Zealand white rabbits underwent bilateral distraction osteogenesis with a rate of 1 mm/day. 0.04 mg hNGF betta in buffer were injected into the callus two times after the end of distraction. The contralateral side received injections of normal saline. The rabbits were sacrificed at consolidation time of 14 and 28 days. After lateral X-rays and dimension measurements,regenerate callus was subjected to histomorphometric analysis of mineral apposition rate and mineralized bone percentage. A paired t test was performed using SPSS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The results showed that mineralized bone percentage and mineral apposition rate of the 1st-11th day were significantly higher in the hNGF betta side (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Locally applied hNGF betta can accelerate callus maturation in a rabbit model and may be an option to shorten the consolidation period in mandibular distraction osteogenesis.