Russian scientists have restored the bones of a rat's skull
Biotechnologists of the Siberian Federal University have designed and investigated biological systems made of biodegradable polymers in combination with stem cells. An implant made of polymer and cells allowed to heal a hole in the skull of an experimental rat, the press service of the SFU reported. An article on the results of the research was published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part A (Shumilova et al., Porous 3D implants of degradable poly-3-hydroxybutyrate used to enhance regeneration of rat cranial defect).
"The implants that we developed, in combination with osteoblasts, ensured the complete closure of the defect in the skull in 120 days," said Anna Shumilova, PhD, one of the co–authors of the work.
According to scientists, the problem of restoring the bones of the skull after injuries is particularly acute. Due to the peculiarities of development and structure, the flat bones of the skull regenerate poorly, it can take months and years. In addition, sometimes bone tissue does not form at all at the site of damage, and its place is taken by a connective tissue that quickly fills the defect. Connective tissue does not have bone strength, and this creates risks of new injuries.
Scientists used an implant made of biodegradable polymer and stem cells to treat a rat with a hole in the skull, which played the role of scaffolding. The implant closed the gap, and the stem cells formed bone cells. The defect was completely closed with new bone tissue after 120 days, and 20 months after the start of treatment, the biodegradable polymer completely dissolved, leaving only new bone tissue.
The technology used by scientists from SFU is not unique, but according to scientists, they managed to create a polymer that surpasses other similar biopolymer materials – as scientists say, in most other studies it was not possible to completely heal defects in the flat bone.
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09.03.2017