牵张成骨延长一侧下颌骨对颞下颌关节的影响

目的：研究牵张成骨（DO）延长一侧下颌骨对双侧颞下颌关节（TMJ）的影响。方法：用DO技术将8只山羊的一侧下颌骨延长10mm，在牵张完成后第8和16周分别处死4只动物，取双侧关节作组织学和扫描电镜研究。结果：下颌一侧DO术后双侧髁状突发生适应性改建，髁突表面超微结构正常。结论：在适当的牵张条件下延长一侧下颌骨不会对TMJ造成病理性损害。     

Micro-computed tomography evaluation of the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle bone after bilateral vertical ramus mandibular distraction in a canine model

The aim of this study was to quantify bone microarchitecture within the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle following mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Eight 6- to 9-month-old male beagle dogs underwent bilateral vertical mandibular distraction with semiburied distractors (12 days of distraction at 1 mm per day). One unoperated animal served as control. After distraction the animals were divided into two groups (N = 4) and killed after 1 or 2 months of consolidation. Three-dimensional trabecular architecture was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (microCT). At both sites the overall trends were similar. In the glenoid fossa, there was decreased bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity density and increased trabecular separation at 1 month and decreased trabecular thickness and increased structure model index compared with the control (P < 0.05). In the mandibular condyle, there was decreased bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity density at both 1 and 2 months, with decreased trabecular thickness and increased structure model index at 2 months only compared with the control (P < 0.05). The bone became less dense and more rodlike. These bone changes are similar to those seen by the effects of aging or impaired normal function. Thus, in the short term, changes occur in the bone microstructure of the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle after vertical mandibular ramus distraction in the canine model.     

Micro-computed tomography evaluation of the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle bone after bilateral vertical ramus mandibular distraction in a canine model

The aim of this study was to quantify bone microarchitecture within the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle following mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Eight 6- to 9-month-old male beagle dogs underwent bilateral vertical mandibular distraction with semiburied distractors (12 days of distraction at 1 mm per day). One unoperated animal served as control. After distraction the animals were divided into two groups (N = 4) and killed after 1 or 2 months of consolidation. Three-dimensional trabecular architecture was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (muCT). At both sites the overall trends were similar. In the glenoid fossa, there was decreased bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity density and increased trabecular separation at 1 month and decreased trabecular thickness and increased structure model index compared with the control (P < 0.05). In the mandibular condyle, there was decreased bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity density at both 1 and 2 months, with decreased trabecular thickness and increased structure model index at 2 months only compared with the control (P < 0.05). The bone became less dense and more rodlike. These bone changes are similar to those seen by the effects of aging or impaired normal function. Thus, in the short term, changes occur in the bone microstructure of the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle after vertical mandibular ramus distraction in the canine model.     

Histological changes in the temporomandibular joint in rabbits depending on the extent of mandibular lengthening by osteodistraction

We studied the histological changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in rabbits. Eight rabbits were used, two of which served as controls and the other six had distraction of the left mandibular body after a latency period of 7 days at a rate of 0.5mm a day for a total of 2mm (n = 2), 3.5mm (n = 2), and 5mm (n = 2) of distraction. After a 14-day consolidation period, TMJs from both sides were harvested and prepared for histological examination under an optical microscope using haematoxylin and eosin stain. We found no degenerative or inflammatory changes in either TMJ in any of the groups. Endochondral ossification in the condyle was greater on the opposite side in the experimental group than in the condyles of the control group. Endochondral ossification was active in the 3.5-mm group.     

Microstructural and strength evaluation of regenerate tissue during the consolidation period after vertical mandibular ramus distraction

Mandibular ramus height restoration by distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a key procedure in mandibular hypoplasia reconstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate short-term skeletal changes in the regenerated bone after vertical mandibular ramus DO using a buried distraction device. Eight subadult beagle dogs underwent bilateral vertical mandibular ramus DO. After a 7-day latency period, distraction was performed at a rate of 0.5 mm twice a day for 12 days. Four dogs were killed at 1 month and four dogs at 2 months after the end of distraction. One intact beagle was included as an unoperated control. After sacrifice, micro computed tomography (muCT) and mechanical testing of distracted sites were used to measure bone volume (BV), total volume (TV), and mechanical peak load strength, respectively. The muCT images showed wide variation in the response, with some animals demonstrating considerable bone formation and reconstitution of the canal for the inferior alveolar nerve. Quantitatively, BV was no more than 67% and BV/TV was less than 25% of the intact control, and strength was approximately 33% of the intact control value. The 1 and 2 month values were similar. These results suggest that internal distractors can successfully reconstitute bone but that the regenerated tissue did not regain structural and mechanical characteristics of native bone within the 2 month study period.     

Association between condylar morphology and changes in bony microstructure and sub‐synovial inflammation in experimental temporomandibular joint arthritis

J Oral Pathol Med (2011) 40 : 111–120 Background: In juvenile idiopathic arthritis involvement of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is often associated with mandibular growth deviations. The relation between the growth deviations and severity of the inflammation, condylar shape, the micro‐architecture, and the quality of the bone has not previously been investigated. This paper studies the effect on the bony structures in mandibular condylar development in rabbits with antigen‐induced arthritis. Methods: Included were 42 juvenile rabbits with ovalbumin‐induced arthritis of the TMJs treated with intraarticular saline, intraarticular etanercept or subcutaneous etanercept. A TMJ from each animal was scanned using micro‐computed tomography and structural parameters were calculated. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the mandibular condyle were scored blindly as normal or abnormal. TMJs were stratified for condylar morphology and were evaluated against data on trabecular structural parameters, inflammation, degree of mineralization, overall mandibular growth, and mineral apposition rate. Results: Abnormal morphology were seen in 15/32 animals available for data analysis. Erosions were an uncommon finding. Abnormal morphology was strongly related to the degree of inflammation. The trabecular separation was larger in group with abnormal morphology than in the group with normal morphology. Abnormal condylar morphology was not associated with overall mandibular growth. No differences were observed in mineral apposition rate. No differences in structural parameters were seen according to treatment modality. Conclusion: We showed that severe inflammation in the TMJs during mandibular development was associated with morphological changes in the mandibular condyle. These changes were predominantly seen at the macro‐morphological level and only very few differences were structural.     

Changes in parathyroid hormone-related protein and 3-dimensional trabecular bone structure of the mandibular condyle following mandibular distraction osteogenesis in growing rats.

PURPOSE: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is commonly performed for mandibular reconstruction during the growth period. We tested the hypothesis that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in mandibular condylar cartilage and underlying trabecular bone in growing individuals undergo changes in response to distraction forces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Animals underwent unilateral mandibular distraction using a distractor that we devised, and unoperated animals were evaluated as controls. DO procedure was performed: 3 days' latency period, 0.4 mm/day rate, total 4.0 mm. Changes in cartilage morphology, PTHrP activity, and 3-dimensional trabecular bone structure changes measured by micro-computed tomography were examined at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of consolidation. RESULTS: A marked irregularity was noted in the superior portion of the distracted side's condylar cartilage that resolved after distraction ceased. PTHrP was more strongly expressed in the hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage on the distracted side than in controls, up to 6 weeks after the end of distraction. Subchondral trabecular bone volume, percent bone volume, and trabecular number in the superior and posterior regions of the condyle decreased significantly by 2 weeks after distraction. These parameters returned to normal in the posterior condyle, but not in the superior part of the condyle by 6 weeks following distraction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that unilateral mandibular distraction in growing rats causes temporary morphologic alterations of trabecular bone structure on the distracted side accompanied by increased production of PTHrP in the mandibular condyle.     

Clinical and radiologic six-year follow-up study of patients with crepitation of the temporomandibular joint

Combined clinical and radiologic follow-up investigations of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) crepitation are seldom seen in the literature. The aim of the present study was to clinically and radiologically re-examine twenty-four patients with TMJ crepitation six years after treatment was completed. Eleven patients initially had unilateral crepitation and thirteen bilateral. Symptoms and clinical signs were reduced. The localization of the condyle at intercuspal position as well as at maximum mouth opening was unchanged in the majority of the TMJs. Structural bone changes had existed in 30 of the 37 TMJs in 1974. The original structural bone changes were preserved in twenty of the TMJs, bone structure was altered in ten and six had remained normal. One normal TMJ developed structural bone changes. The most common alterations consisted of increased sclerosis in the mandibular fossa and disappearance of erosions in the condyle. Since the symptoms and signs were reduced and the radiological changes were small, the prognosis for patients with TMJ crepitation must be considered good.     

Osteodistraction of mandibles with a small bone defect at the planned osteotomy site: A histological pilot study in dogs

AimTo develop a treatment plan for cases in which a bone defect is located on the osteotomy line of mandibular osteodistraction (DO).Subjects and methodsBilateral DO was performed in 17 Mongrel dogs. Prior to surgery, the 34 hemi-mandibles were randomly allocated to three groups: C (n = 10; a standard DO was performed), D − G (n = 12; a bone defect was created on the DO osteotomy line), and D + G (n = 12; the bone defect on the osteotomy line was grafted). After one week of latency, 8 days of distraction, and 4 weeks of consolidation the animals were sacrificed, and the newly formed bone were examined.ResultsIn group C, two zones of immature trabecular bone originating from host bone margins were separated by a central fibrous zone. In group D + G uniform new bone formation of the entire distraction gap was observed. In group D − G the distraction gap was mainly filled with fibrous tissue. The values for the newly formed bone volume and trabecular thickness were not significantly different between groups D + G and C, but were higher than values in group D − G (p < 0.05).ConclusionWhen a mandibular defect is located at the site of distraction osteotomy, DO can be performed simultaneous with bone grafting of the defect.     

BMP-2及Smad1在兔下颌骨垂直牵张中的表达和意义

目的：观察BMP-2及其信号传导分子Smad1在兔下颌骨垂直牵张后新骨组织中的分布和表达,探讨其在新骨形成中的作用。方法：36只兔子随机分成6组,用自制的种植型牵张器对兔下颌骨垂直牵张,以1mm/天的速度牵张4天,分别于牵后第1天、1周、2周、4周、6周取材,6只作为正常对照组。用ABC免疫组织化学法,检测兔下颌骨垂直牵张过程中不同时期BMP-2及Smad1的表达与分布。结果：免疫组化观察,牵张结束后BMP-2及Smad1阳性信号主要在间充质细胞和新生骨小梁边缘的成骨细胞表达,表达高峰在牵张后1周,以后逐渐下降,牵张后4周在骨细胞微弱表达,6周时无表达。正常对照组无表达。结论：BMP-2及Smad1/5参与兔下颌骨垂直牵张过程,并在牵张成骨的早期起作用;Smad1/5可能介导了BMP-2在牵张成骨中的信号传导。     

间歇性低剂量全身应用甲状旁腺激素对兔下颌快速骨牵张的作用

目的 研究甲状旁腺激素（parathyroid hormone,PTH）间歇性低剂量全身应用对兔下颌快速骨牵张的作用。 方法 对24只成年新西兰白兔进行单侧下颌骨快速骨牵张,实验动物随机均分为2组：牵张开始后实验组每日皮下注射PTH（10 μg/kg）生理盐水溶液,为期30 d;对照组同期注射等量生理盐水。牵张结束6周后取出下颌骨对牵张区骨痂进行micro-CT、组织学及生物力学检测,并对牵张旁钉孔区进行双能X线吸收实验（dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry,DEXA）检测其骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）。 结果 micro CT图像显示实验组新生骨小梁密集而粗大,骨皮质连续,而对照组新生骨小梁稀疏而细小,未见明显骨皮质形成,定量分析结果实验组牵张区的骨体积分数（（48.30±3.46）%）,骨连接密度（（9.77±1.81）mm-3）,骨小梁厚度（（0.25±0.01）mm）和骨小梁数（（2.25±0.26）mm-1）均显著高于对照组（分别为（37.55±3.72）%,（7.89±1.73）mm-3,（0.12±0.03）mm,（1.27±0.27）mm-1）（P<0.01）,而骨小梁间隙（（0.22±0.03）mm）则显著低于对照组（（0.30±0.04）mm）（P<0.01）。组织学观察证实实验组新生骨质更为丰富而成熟,实验组三点弯曲试验最大载荷（（378.30±29.10）N）,与牵张旁钉孔区BMD（(0.26±0.01) g/cm2)也均显著高于对照组（分别为(196.60±14.50)N,(0.17±0.01)g/cm2）（P<0.01）。 结论 间歇性低剂量全身应用甲状旁腺激素有助于促进兔下颌骨快速骨牵张的新骨生成,同时还有助于减少牵张旁区的骨量丢失。     

牙支抗羊下颌骨牵张成骨的组织学观察

目的：用自制的牙支抗骨延长装置进行羊下颌骨延长的实验研究，观察其组织学特征。方法：将9只7～9月龄山羊，实验组分4组，每组2只，对照组1只，在下颌第2和第3前磨牙之间行骨皮质切开术后，将自制的颌骨延长装置黏固于牙齿之上，术后5d开始加力，每次0．25mm，2次／d。在开始加力后分别于8、16、32、48d时将动物处死，标本进行四环素荧光标记检查、HE染色及Mallory三色染色观察。结果：四环素荧光标记结果显示：存延长区域内有黄绿色荧光标记的新骨形成；HE染色及Mallory三色染色结果显示：新骨从牵引区两侧逐渐向中央延伸，融合后的骨小梁逐渐改建成熟，纤维束、新形成的骨小梁以及早期的各种细胞均表现为长轴与牵引力的方向一致。结论：新骨有沿着牵引力方向形成与改建的组织学特点：     

The influence of pre- and intraoperative positioning of the condyle in the centre of the articular fossa on the position of the disc in orthognathic surgery. A magnetic resonance study

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible for orthognathic surgery and the influence of positioning of the condylar process in the centre of the articular fossa before and during the operation for preventing changes in the TMJ postoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 28 patients with mandibular retrognathism had bilateral sagittal split osteotomies for mandibular advancement. In one group of 14 patients (28 TMJ), the condyles were placed in the centre of the articular fossa before and during the operation, and in the other group they were not. Differences on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were calculated and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: The main differences were found at maximal mouth opening. 15/28 TMJs (54%) that had not been positioned changed the position of the disc from physiological to anterior disc derangement with and without reduction postoperatively. In the 28 that had been positioned, changes were found in only 3 TMJs (11%) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Fixing the condylar process in the centre of the articular fossa intraoperatively before bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is a factor in preventing postoperative structural changes in the temporomandibular joint.     

Experimental study of mineralization in mandibular bone distraction with irradiation during the consolidation phase

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at assessing the effect of radiotherapy on regenerated bone mineralization and consolidation obtained by mandibular bone distraction. The planned application was a new immediate mandibular reconstruction technique in defects following surgery for oral cavity tumours requiring postoperative radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten sheep underwent bilateral mandibular bone distraction (control group). A second group of 6 sheep (study group) had bilateral mandibular bone distraction followed by irradiation on the 21st postoperative day. The animals were sacrificed on the 60th postoperative day. Radiographic and histomorphometric studies were performed. RESULTS: In the control group, 9 distraction sites out of 20 were consolidated. In the irradiated group, 9 out of 12 were consolidated. Histomorphometric analysis did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between the osseous and cartilaginous samples, the trabecular thickness of the new bone, or the osteoid surface of basal bone in the control and test groups (p=0.126, 0.247, 0.792, 0.082). However, the osteoid surface of the regenerated bone in the test group was statistically smaller (p=0.017) than in the control group. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, radiotherapy did not hinder bone mineralization or consolidation following distraction of mandibular bone receiving irradiation on the 21st postoperative day. Bone distraction could be proposed for the repair of mandibular defects following surgery for oral tumours which require early postoperative radiotherapy.     

Bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle related to internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and joint effusion.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion may predict the diagnostic group of bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationship between bone marrow edema and TMJ disc displacement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion was analyzed in MRIs of 120 TMJs in 73 consecutive patients with TMJ pain and/or a clinical diagnosis of TMJ internal derangement type III (disc displacement without reduction). The diagnostic bone marrow edema group was comprised of 54 TMJs in 40 patients with a unilateral or bilateral MRI diagnosis of bone marrow edema. The control group consisted of 66 non-bone marrow edema TMJs in 33 patients with a bilateral MRI finding of an absence of bone marrow edema. A logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratios for internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion for non-bone marrow edema TMJs (n = 66) versus TMJs with bone marrow edema (n = 54). RESULTS: Using Chi;(2) analysis for pair-wise comparison, the TMJ-related data showed a significant relationship between the MR imaging findings of TMJ bone marrow edema and those of internal derangement (P = .000), osteoarthrosis (P = .000), and effusion (P = .010). Of the MRI variables considered simultaneously in the multiple logistic regression analysis, osteoarthrosis (P = .107) and effusion (P = .102) dropped out as nonsignificant in the diagnostic bone marrow edema group when compared with the control group. The odds ratio for individuals with an internal derangement showing bone marrow edema was strong (3.6:1) and highly significant (P = .000). Significant increases in risk of bone marrow edema occurred with disc displacement without reduction and osteoarthrosis (9.2:1) (P = .000) and disc displacement without reduction and effusion (6.4:1) (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the MR imaging findings for TMJ bone marrow edema are related to those of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion. However, the data re-emphasize the aspect that internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion may not be regarded as the unique and dominant factors in defining TMJ bone marrow edema instances.     

Microscopic changes in the condyle and disc in response to distraction osteogenesis of the minipig mandible.

PURPOSE: Unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) has been shown to cause gross changes in the mandibular condyle and articular disc. The purpose of this study was to correlate histologic findings with these gross changes in a minipig distraction model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semiburied distractors were placed via submandibular incisions in 15 minipigs. Two unoperated animals served as controls. The protocol consisted of 0-day latency and rates of 1, 2, or 4 mm/day for a 12-mm gap. After the minipigs were killed (at 0, 24, or 90 days), ipsilateral and contralateral condyles and discs were harvested, decalcified, prepared for standard paraffin embedding, and evaluated to determine changes in 1) morphology and thickness of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone and 2) morphology of the disc. RESULTS: In control animals, there were no degenerative changes in the articular cartilage and underlying condylar bone; there were no significant differences in the mean articular cartilage thickness. The temporomandibular joint discs were normal. In experimental animals, distracted condyles showed increasing degenerative changes and mean articular cartilage thickness as the DO rate increased. The discs were thinner. These changes were present, but to a lesser degree, in the contralateral condyles. After 90 days, degenerative changes in the condyles and discs were reduced, after remodeling, except in the 4 mm/day DO group. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic changes in the condyles and temporomandibular joint discs in response to mandibular DO correlated with previously reported gross changes. These changes were greater at higher distraction rates and remodeling back to normal occurred in mandibular condyles distracted at 1 mm/day.     

Effects of sympathetic innervation loss on mandibular distraction osteogenesis

ABSTRACT: Sympathetic nerve system has been proved to have important regulative effects to bone mass. However, the role of sympathetic nerve system in distraction osteogenesis (DO) is unclear. Here we show that the sympathetic nerve system plays an important role in mandibular DO. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups at random. Right-side mandibular DO was performed on the 15 rats in control group (group A). Bilateral transection of cervical sympathetic trunk and right-side mandibular DO were performed on the 15 rats in the experimental group (group B). After operation, quantitative general observations, micro-computed tomography bone morphology analysis, and hematoxylin-eosin staining osseous tissue on new osteotylus in distraction gap were performed at consolidation time of 1, 14, and 28 days. SPSS 12.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. At 1 and 14 days of consolidation time, there was more continuous bone formation in the experimental group than that of the control group as determined by gross observation. Bone formation parameters including bone mineral density, bone volume-total volume ratio, bone trabeculae number as determined by micro-CT, and histological study of the test group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted between the 2 groups on consolidation time of 28 days. Our study suggested that the sympathetic innervation loss could improve mandibular DO and new bone formation, and the sympathetic nerve system might negatively regulate the process of DO.     

Effect of distraction rate and consolidation period on bone density following mandibular osteodistraction in rats

The high cost of large animal protocols has limited the study of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in the craniofacial region. This study was designed to characterise a rat model for DO with regard to distraction rate and consolidation period. Unilateral mandibular distraction was performed on 129 male Sprague-Dawley rats using an osteotomy from the sigmoid notch to the inferior border of mandible. After a 3-day latency, 12 groups of 8-9 rats underwent distraction for 5 days at four different rates (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6mm per day), with three different post-osteotomy sacrifice times (10, 24, and 38 days) and four final predicted distraction lengths (0, 1, 2, and 3mm). Another four groups of rats (N=8 per group) were sacrificed 6 days post-osteotomy, resulting in distraction for 3 days with a predicted distraction length of 0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8mm. Changes in mandibular morphology were measured from radiographs of disarticluated hemimandibles. The bone density of the regenerate and control sites was measured using microdensitometry calibrated with an epoxy stepwedge. Distraction linearly increased mandibular length, distraction gap width and the area of the distraction gap (P<0.00005). Mandibular length increased by 0.394 mm per distraction rate. Gap width and area increased by 0.67 and 5.8mm(2) per distraction rate, respectively. The increase in length represents only 39.4% of what was predicted, suggesting that compensatory alteration in condylar or mandibular morphology may have occurred. This speculation was further supported by the finding that mandibular length, measured without the condylar landmark, was 53.8% of predicted. During DO and early consolidation, the measures of bone density in the regenerates decreased compared to control for all groups. Thereafter, bone density in the regenerates generally increased in all groups until day 24 (P<0.01), obtaining levels that were comparable to the unoperated side. At both rostral and caudal sites adjacent to the osteotomies, measures of bone density were enhanced over control in all groups, with the rostral site also showing significant increases over time in the sham and the highest distraction groups (P<0.008 and P<0.014). We conclude that this rat model for mandibular distraction osteogenesis provides bone density changes that are consistent with those reported using larger animal protocols.     

Experimental model of distraction osteogenesis in edentulous rats

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical technique producing bone lengthening by distraction of the fracture callus. Although a large number of experimental studies on the events associated with DO of craniofacial skeleton have been reported, the few employing rat mandibular bone DO used complicated designs and produced a small volume of newly formed bone. Thus, this study aims to present an original experimental model of mandibular DO in edentulous rats that produces a sufficient quantity and quality of intramembranous bone. Eight male Wistar rats, weighing 75 g, underwent extraction of lower molars. With rats weighing 350 g, right mandibular osteotomy was performed and the distraction device was placed. The distraction device was custom made using micro-implants, expansion screws, and acrylic resin. Study protocol: latency: 6 days, distraction: ? turn (0.175 mm) once a day during 6 d, consolidation: 28 d after distraction phase, sacrifice. DO-treated and contralateral hemimandibles were dissected and compared macroscopically and using radiographic studies. Histological sections were obtained and stained with H&E. A distraction gap filled with newly formed and mature bone tissue was obtained. This model of mandibular DO proved useful to obtain adequate quantity and quality of bone to study bone regeneration.     

Effect of icariin on bone formation during distraction osteogenesis in the rabbit mandible

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of icariin on bone formation during mandibular distraction. 40 Rabbits were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Mandibular distraction was performed 5 days after unilateral mandibular osteotomy using a custom-made external distractor at a rate of 0.5 mm/12 h for 10 days. From the first day of distraction, icariin (2.5 mg/kg·day) was orally administered to the experimental group and placebo to the controls. 10 Rabbits were killed at the end of weeks 2 and 4 of the consolidation phase. The distracted hemimandible was harvested and newly formed bone was evaluated by soft radiography, histology and bone histomorphometry. Regenerated bone was evaluated for bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The experimental group had fewer radiolucent areas on soft radiography. Bone mineral density of regenerated bone was higher in the experimental than in the control group at 2 and 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the experimental group had greater volumes of new bone, higher trabecular number, and less trabecular separation than the controls. Oral administration of icariin could promote bone formation during mandibular distraction osteogenesis and might be a promising method for shortening the course of distraction osteogenesis.