Histopathologic evaluation of the Persian Gulf coral powder effect on bone defects

Introduction and In recent years، with the improvement of research methods، there has been a progressive occurrence of research on bone allograft substitutes with the aim of production of substances with higher absorption and biocompatibility and fewer side effects. In this study natural coral substance used which could be an abundant source for calcium. ‍Considering the fact that research on the marine products and creatures، in particular coral، has started just in the past decade and more attention is paid to the benefits gained from this material، it has been decided to utilize the coral native to Persian Golf as oral powder to heal tibia bone defect in rabbit. In this experimental study undertaken in 1389 at the college of Veterinary Medicine of azad university، 18 new Zealander rabbits weighing 2. 5-3 kg were categorized randomly in 3 groups of 6 rabbits. These 3 groups consist of control group، the group which used oral calcium powder and group which used oral coral powder. For producing the defect، 1/3 of tibia bone was blunt dissected and the operation site was observed. Using an orthopedic drill، a whole with the depth of 0. 6-0. 8 mm and diameter of 4 mm was produced and after emptying and washing، the operation site was sutured. The operation was performed in all 3 groups in the same style. The Calcium group were treated by 1150 mg calcium powder daily and the coral group received 1220 mg of coral powder on a daily basis and the control group were kept under standard condition. On days 0،10،20،30،40،50،63 the cases were evaluated and on the mention days 3 rabbits were randomly selected and after being euthanized samples were obtained and pathological studies were performed. In histopathologic study fibroblastic proliferation، new bone formation، bone mature and mineralization evaluated and results for coral group was better than calcium group (P<0/05). In conclusion، by histopathologic evaluation Persian golf coral was found to be an osteoconductive biomaterial which acted as a scaffold and consequently could be healed a segmental tibial defect by increasing bone formation.