Synthetic Sicky Bone Grafts Enhance Bone Regeneration

Deproteinized bovine bone minerals (DBBMs) are effective for bone regeneration, but their limited plasticity can hinder treatment of extensive bone defects. This study aimed to develop a composite bone grafting material that is easy to deploy surgically and promotes robust bone regeneration. DBBM particles were mixed with a clinical-grade gelatin-based colloidal gel (w/v ratio of 2/3) to create a composite material referred to as synthetic sticky bone (SSB). Structural properties were assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To evaluate bone regenerative capacity, twenty male Wistar rats (8-10 weeks old) with critical-size jawbone defects were treated with SSB, DBBM, or gelatin gel alone, with an empty defect as a control. Samples were collected at 2 and 4 weeks for microcomputed tomography (μCT) analysis of bone volume/total tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb. Th), trabecular number (Tb. N), and trabecular separation (Tb. Sp). Histological analyses were conducted to examine material remnants and bone formation. Synthetic sticky bone(SSB) exhibited a binary paste-like composite property with enhanced injectability and plasticity. In vivo tests showed that the SSB-treated group had significantly greater new bone formation compared to the DBBM-treated group after 4 weeks, as confirmed by μCT and histological assessments. SSB, a paste-like composite of DBBM particles and a clinical-grade gelatin-based colloidal gel, demonstrated improved structural plasticity and enhanced bone regeneration, offing a promising solution for treating extensive irregular bone defects.