Comparative study of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 carriers in rat subcutaneous tissues: Pilot study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the potential of using various biomaterials as a carrier of rhBMP-2 in the subcutaneous layer of rats. 5 subcutaneous defects were made in each of the dorsal surfaces of 10 rats. Then, the rats were divided into the following groups: Control group: sham-surgery control, Experimental group 1: rhBMP-2/Bio-Oss®, Experimental group 2: rhBMP-2/Collatape®, Experimental group 3: rhBMP-2/nCS. Histological and histometrical analysis were performed after the rats were sacrificed at 2 and 4 weeks. Regardless of the type of carrier, the groups treated with rhBMP-2 showed significantly greater bone formation when compared to the control group. The amount of new bone formation was greater at 4 week than 2 week. Total bone formation (%) at 4 week was the greatest in rhBMP/Bio-Oss® (26.76±10.13) group, followed by rhBMP/Collatape® (20.38±5.27) and rhBMP/nCS (4.34±2.58). Within the limitation of this study, the results showed that Bio-Oss®, Collatape®, nanocalcium sulfate all showed new bone formation when used as a carrier of rhBMP-2 in the subcutaneous layer of rats, indicating potential use as carriers for rhBMP-2.