OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-34 [rhPTH(1-34)] on bone regeneration rabbit mandible during distraction osteogenesis (DO).

METHODS40 Japanese white rabbit (weight 2.0-2.5 kg) were randomly divided into control group and groups. The experimental groups were divided inito 12.5, 25 and 50 µg/kg group according to the dosage of rhPTH (1-34) in each group. Each group involved 10 rabbits, and unilateral DO models were established at the right mandible of the rabbits. From the first day of distraction to the day of execution, the rabbits in the experimental groups were injected subcutaneously rhPTH (1-34) of the corresponding dose respectively, and the rabbits in the control group were injected subcutaneously 2% heat inactivated rabbit serum 1 ml respectively.. Five rabbits in each group were executed respectively at 1 week and 3 weeks after completion of distraction, and the specimens of DO were harvested. The gross observation, X-ray examination, and histological study were performed.

RESULTSGross appearance: At the first week of consolidation, the dense and opaque white tissue was seen in the distraction gap of the 50 µg/kg group, and the white translucent tissue was seen in the distraction gaps of the rest groups. At the third week of consolidation, the greyish white tissue was seen in the distraction gap of the control group, while the cartilage-like tissue was seen in the buccal side of the distraction gap of the 12.5 µg/kg group, the color of new-formed tissues was close to that of normal bone tissue in the lingual side. The buccal tissue at the edge of the distraction gap of the 25 µg/kg group fitted together with the primary bone tissue in its two sides. It was difficult to distinguish the boundaries between the distraction gap and the bone tissues in its two sides in the 50 µg/kg group. X-ray findings: At the first week of consolidation, a sparse opaque image was seen in the distraction gap of the 50 µg/kg group, and a low-density image was seen in the distraction gap of the rest groups. At the third week of consolidation, a sparse bone image was seen in the control group, and the edge of the bone was not continuous. With the increase of the dose in the experimental groups, the image of the distraction gap became more and more opaque, and the image of the distraction gap in the 50 µg/kg group was close to that of the normal bone tissue. HISTOLOGICAL FINDINGS: At the first week of consolidation, few osteoblasts were present at the edge of the distraction gap of the control group. A large number of bone cells and bone trabecular were present in the distraction gap of the 12.5 µg/kg group, the network of the bone trabecula was present in the 25 µg/kg group, and a few new bones were found in the 50 µg/kg group. At the third week of consolidation, the network of the trabecular bone was present in the distraction gap of the control group, while the network of the bone trabecula was present in the 12.5 µg/kg group, a lot of bone-like tissues in the 25 µg/kg group, and near-mature bone in the 50 µg/kg group.

CONCLUSIONSrhPTH(1-34) can promote the formation of new bone in the distracted gap during mandibular DO in rabbits.