Reconstruction of bone defect with the coral scaffold and osteoblasts: an experimental study in rabbits

Demand for bone grafts to treat bone defects in cases of pathologically and injuries is increasing, but the source of bone graft derived from humans is not enough to supply the needs of patients. Therefore, research and create the equivalent of bone graft is a necessary work but also a long-term solution in the future. The present study was carried out with the goal of creating the equivalent bone graft using sea coral (Porites lutea species) as the substrate to contain osteoblasts derived from bone marrow to treat defects bones in the body of the rabbit femur bones. This is a controlled experimental study. Rabbits were divided into two groups, Group 1 (experimental rabbits), including the rabbit pieces were grafted by the coral contained osteoblasts. Group 2 (control group) consisting of rabbits were grafted by coral alone. Research results on the rabbits were evaluated at the time points of 1, 3 and 6 months by radiology and histology (H & E staining). From this study, we found that the group of rabbits that were grafted by coral containing autologous osteoblasts, the bone healing results occur faster and better quality of bone healing when compared with the control group at time study 1 month and 3 months. The study results will open up the prospects of clinical applications in the future for bone defects cases, this will be a long term solution and effective for patients when there is not enough bone graft source, in while autologous bone grafting is limited in terms of quantity.