Histologische und histomorphometrische Verlaufsbeobachtungen zur knöchernen Integration von korundgestrahlten BMP-3-beschichteten Titanprüfkörpern (Ti-6Al-4V) im orthotopen Lager des Riesenkaninchens

Aim: To establish whether the additional coating of titanium implants with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-3 (BMP-3) might enhance osseous integration. Method: Each of 15 cylindrical titanium test implants (Ti-6Al-4V) was coated using 230μg porcine BMP-3. A further 15 implants with identical (corundium-blasted) surface served as negative controls. An uncoated and a BMP-3-coated test object were implanted into the femurs of 15 adult giant rabbits. New formation of bone around the implants was examined microscopically and histo-morphometrically on postoperative days14, 35 and 56. Results: Coated implants revealed superior osseointegration with statistical evaluation using the t-test for matched samples showing a significantly higher volume of new bone 5 weeks after surgery. Microscopic examination revealed osseointegration with no connective tissue membrane around the surface of the implants. Conclusions: Our results indicate that composite metal implants are suitable carriers for BMP-3 and that improved fixation of the implants can be achieved.