Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Pages: 7-14

Journal: Microvascular Research

Volume number: 105

ISSN: 0026-2862

eISSN: 1095-9319

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mvr.2015.10.005

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

Purpose: Neovascularization is essential for bone regeneration in fractures. This study aimed to investigate the microvascular morphology and distribution in the non-injured femur and the neovascularization of the metaphyseal critical size defect in a small animal model of osteoporosis.

Materials and methods: Female rats (n = 7) were ovariectomized (OVX) and received a multideficiency diet. Three months after OVX, a 5 mm wedge shaped critical size defect was cut at the distal femoral metaphysis and stabilized with a T-shaped mini-plate. After six weeks, the animals were euthanized, and femora were removed and decalcified for micro-CT measurement of fracture neovascularization.

Results: No fracture healing was observed along the critical size defects. In the non-injured bone, micro-vessel distribution showed a specific pattern, thereby enabling a differentiation between epi-, meta- and diaphysis. Micro-CT based morphometry revealed a significant reduction of the vascular volume fraction as well as the vascular thickness (p < 0.001) in the critical size defect compared to the intact contralateral femur. Blood volume related vascular surface (vascular surface/volume) increased significantly (p < 0.001). Connectivity density and tissue volume related vascular surface (vascular surface density) did not change significantly.

Conclusions: Micro-CT based vascular morphometry demonstrated differences between epi-, meta- and diaphysis in the non-injured bone as well as differences between the critical size defect and the non-injured metaphysis. As angiogenesis is a crucial prerequisite that precedes osteogenesis, our results may influence further evaluation of osteoconductive or osteogenic biomaterials in this small animal model of osteoporosis. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Kampschulte, M., Krombach, G., Richards, D., Sender, J., Lips, K., Thormann, U., et al. (2016) Neovascularization of osteoporotic metaphyseal bone defects: A morphometric micro-CT study, Microvascular Research, 105, pp. 7-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mvr.2015.10.005

APA Citation style: Kampschulte, M., Krombach, G., Richards, D., Sender, J., Lips, K., Thormann, U., El Khassawna, T., Ray, S., Alt, V., & Langheinrich, A. (2016). Neovascularization of osteoporotic metaphyseal bone defects: A morphometric micro-CT study. Microvascular Research. 105, 7-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mvr.2015.10.005