Histopathologic evaluation of the Persian Gulf coral powder effect on bone defects

Introduction: The research on the marine products and creatures, in particular coral, has started during the recent decade, confirming the beneficial effects of this material. Therefore, this study aimed to use the coral native to Persian Gulf as oral powder to heal the tibial bone defect in rabbits. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 New Zealander rabbits were randomly categorized into 3 groups (control group, the group which used oral calcium powder and the one which used oral coral powder) of 6 rabbits. For producing the defect, 1/3 of the tibial bone was blunt dissected and the operation site was observed. Using an orthopedic drill, a hole with the depth of 0.6-0.8 mm and diameter of 4 mm was produced and after emptying and washing, the operation site was sutured. The operation was performed on all the 3 groups similarly. The calcium group was treated using 1150 mg calcium powder daily, the coral group received 1220 mg of coral powder on a daily basis, and the control group was kept under standard condition. On days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63, the cases were evaluated and pathological studies were performed. Results: In the histopathologic study, fibroblastic proliferation, new bone formation, bone maturation and mineralization were evaluated the results for the coral group were better than those of the calcium and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, in the histopathologic evaluation of Persian Gulf coral, it was found to be an osteoconductive biomaterial which act as a scaffold and consequently could be used for healing a segmental tibial defect by increasing the bone formation.