OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of repairing bone defect by combined autologous bone marrow transplantation, cuttebone, and sodium hyaluronate.

METHODSForty-eight New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. The 10-mm bone defect of the radial shaft animal model was established, with the periosteum remained. Rabbits of Group A were treated by autologous bone marrow transplantation, cuttlebone, and sodium hyaluronate. Those of Group B were treated by autologous bone marrow transplantation and cuttlebone. Rabbits of Group C were implanted with cuttlebone and sodium hyaluronate. And rabbits of Group D were taken as the blank control. There were twelve rabbits in each group. All rabbits were sacrificed, and the general histological examination, X-ray test, the pathohistological observation and scoring, the new born formation area measurement were performed at 2-week, 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week after transplantation respectively. The capacities for bone transplantation and defect repairing were compared and analyzed as well.

RESULTSThe bone defect of Group A was completely repaired at week 12. The comprehensive indices at each time point were superior to those of the rest groups, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). The bone repair in Group B and Group C were somewhat poor, with the repairing effect inferior to that of Group A. The bone repairing was better in Group B than in Group C. Most portion of the bone defect in Group D was filled with fibrous tissue and muscular tissue, with little bone repairing.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined autologous bone marrow transplantation, cuttlebone, and sodium hyaluronate showed obviously synergistically bone forming capacities. It could be taken as a substitute material for transplantation.