Vascular endothelial growth factor augments the healing of demineralized bone matrix grafts

Abstract

Aim: To produce a totally allogeneic graft material that would eliminate the need for harvesting the autogenous bone from patients. Materials and methods: Thirty-six (10 × 5 mm) defects were created in the parietal bones of 18 rabbits. Two experimental groups of 12 defects each were grafted with DBMIM alone and VEGF + DBMIM, respectively. The remaining 12 defects were left empty as controls, and sacrificed on days 14, 30 and 60. Two rabbits, with four defects, of each group were sacrificed on day 14, 30 and 60 post grafting. The defects were retrieved for histological evaluation and quantitative analysis. Results: No bone formed across the defect in the controls. The difference in the amount of new bone formation between experimental groups was significant especially 30 and 60 days post grafting (p < 0.0001), which were 149% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: VEGF + DBMIM powder is a promising graft material, and warrants further clinical investigation. © 2006 Surgical Associates Ltd.