Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement of osteogenic potential of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone substitute coated with synthetic cell-binding peptide sequences in a standardized rabbit sinus model.
Methods: Standardized 6-mm diameter defects were created bilaterally on the maxillary sinus of ten male New Zealand white rabbits, receiving BCP bone substitute coated with synthetic cell binding peptide sequences on one side (experimental group) and BCP bone substitute without coating (control group) on the other side. Histologic and histomorphometric analysis of bone formation was carried out after a healing period of 4 or 8 weeks.
Results: Histological analysis revealed signs of new bone formation in both experimental groups (4- and 8-week healing groups) with a statistically significant increase in bone formation in the 4-week healing group compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant difference in bone formation was found between the 8-week healing group and the control group.
Conclusions: This study found that BCP bone substitute coated with synthetic cell-binding peptide sequences enhanced osteoinductive potential in a standardized rabbit sinus model and its effectiveness was greater in the 4-week healing group than in the 8-week healing group.
Keywords: Bone regeneration; Bone substitutes; Maxillary sinus; Oligopeptides; Rabbits.