Effects of Local Drug Application in Bone Formation in Rats

Hydrogels containing different types of drugs (alendronate, lovastatin and omeprazole) were assayed for their ability to promote osteogenesis using a rat bone defect model. A critical-size 3 mm defect was created in the femurs of each rat. Six rats were assigned to each of the seven experimental groups: empty defect, and high and low doses of alendronate, lovastatin, and omeprazole. One femur of each rat received the experimental treatment and the other was treated with a hydrogel blank. Three weeks after implantation, samples were analyzed by microCT to measure bone volume differences. The mean bone volume from the alendronate treatment group samples was statistically higher than the other groups. Histomorphometric analysis also demonstrated that defects treated with alendronate were filled with more new bone tissue. The high dose alendronate treatment was the most favorable of all treatments in facilitating bone healing.