Purpose: To investigate the ability of composite graft of osteoblasts and HAP-GEL scaffolds to repair cranial bone defect.
Methods: HAP-GEL and osteoblasts were co-cultured. The rabbit cranial parietal bone defect models were established. HAP-GEL scaffolds and osteoblasts were implanted into the cranial bone defect with blank defect as negative control, autologous skull as positive control. After 4,8,12 weeks, the result was evaluated by gross inspection, three-dimensional computed tomographic scanning and histological examination, respectively.
Results: After 4, 8, 12 weeks, blank defects displayed significantly radiolucent area, HAP-GEL with osteoblasts and autologous skull restoration showed high density area, the edges were slightly blur. With time going by, part of the scaffolds were absorbed, and the new bone trabecular was observed in histological examination. In the control groups, only fibrous tissues were observed in the defect region, there was no new bone formation.
Conclusions: the engineering bone constructed by osteoblasts and HAP-GEL scaffold can be applied to repair bone defect.