Effects of enamel matrix derivative to titanium implantation in rat femurs

The effects of enamel matrix derivative (EMD; Emdogain) on new trabecular bone induction after pure bioinert titanium (Ti) implantation in the rat femur were examined by means of routine light and transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and backscattered electron image analysis. Newly designed mini-Ti implants (3.5 mm in length and 1.6 mm in diameter) were placed in the corticotrabecular area of the femur with either EMD or its carrier, propylene glycol alginate, as control. On post-implantation days 4, 7, 14, and 30, the dissected femur was examined in the transverse direction through Ti implants. In both control and EMD-applied femurs, trabecular bone formation was recognized over the implant surfaces and within medullary cavities even at 4 days post-implantation. These newly formed bone trabeculae around the Ti implants were immunoreactive for bone sialoproteins as a bone matrix marker, and osteoclastic bone resorption became evident in these bone trabeculae after 7 days post-implantation. Although trabecular bone area around the implants was markedly decreased at 30 days post-implantation compared with those at 14 days, the trabecular bone areas in EMD-applied femurs were significantly greater than those in propylene glycol alginate-applied femurs at both 14 and 30 days post-implantation. Our results suggest that EMD is an effective biological matrix for enhancing new trabecular bone induction and resulting attachment of orthopedic prostheses to the recipient bone.