In vivo evaluation of a new β-tricalcium phosphate bone substitute in a rabbit femur defect model

Calcium phosphate ceramics, of a similar composition to that of mineral bone, and which possess the properties of bioactivity and osteoconductivity, have been widely used as substitutes for bone graft in orthopedic, plastic and craniofacial surgeries. A synthetic β-tricalcium phosphate, Osteocera™, a recently developed bone graft substitute, has been used in this study. To evaluate the affinity and efficacy of Osteocera™ as bone defect implant, we used a New Zealand white rabbit femur defect model to test the osteoconductivity of this new bone substitute. Alternative commercially available bone substitutes, Triosite^® and ProOsteon500, were used as the control materials. These three bone substitutes show good biocompatibility, and no abnormal inflammation either infection was seen at the implantation sites. In the histological and histomorphometric images, newly formed bone grew into the peripheral pores in the bone substitutes. After six months implantation, the volume of bone formation was found to be 20.5 ± 5.2%, 29.8 ± 6.5% and 75.5 ± 4.9% of the potential total cavity offered by ProOsteon500, Triosite^® and Osteocera™, respectively. The newly formed bone area within the femur defect section for Osteocera™ was significantly larger than ProOsteon500 and Triosite^®. We concluded that Osteocera™ shows better bioresorbability, biocompatibility and osteoconductivity in the rabbit femur defect model.