rhBMP-2 increases and accelerates vertical bone formation when associated to biomaterials: the rabbit calvaria model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the appositional vertical bone formation obtained with the association of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) with the materials Beta Tricalcium Phosphate (CE), Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BC), and Mineral Bovine Bone (BO) in a guided bone regeneration model (GBR) in rabbit calvaria. Twenty-two New Zealand white rabbits received four titanium cylinders fixed in the calvaria. In group 1 (n = 10), each cylinder was randomly filled with one of these materials and one with a blood clot (CO). In group 2 (n = 12) cylinders were randomly assigned the same materials and blood clot with the addition of rhBMP-2. Bone labels were injected during 13 weeks, and the euthanasia was performed in the 14th week in both groups. The results showed that the average volume and area in group 2 (with rhBMP-2) was higher than that in group 1 (without rhBMP-2), regardless the materials used (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the average volumes of BO and BC (p = 0.625), BC and CE (p = 0.876) and BO and CE (p = 0.968). The average volume of CO was lower than all materials (P < 0.001) in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the average areas of BC and BO (p = 0,965), BC and CE (p = 0,866), BO and CE (p = 0,990), BC and CO (p = 0,190) and BO and CO (p = 0,060). The average area of CO was lower than CE (p = 0,028). The histological study revealed significant amounts of newly formed bone in both groups. Nevertheless, in the group with rhBMP-2 a more mature and lamellar bone with a greater level of biodegradation in all materials was observed...