Experimental study of periostin promoting rapid distraction osteogenesis of the rabbit mandible

To explore the promoting effect of periostin on rapid distraction osteogenesis of the rabbit mandible and provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of periostin to promote osteogenesis.

Twenty-four New Zealand male white rabbits underwent distraction osteogenesis, and after 3 days of retention, they were rapidly stretched at a stretch rate of 2 mm/d (total 5 d). The animals were randomly divided into group A and group B (12 per group). On the last day of the stretch, 0.5 mL of normal saline containing 40 μg of recombinant periostin was given to group B or an equal volume of normal saline was added to the control group (group A) for 8 days. At 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-stretch, 8 animals were randomly selected from each group to undergo a CT scan under general anesthesia. The bone mineral density and bone mineral content were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eight weeks post-stretch, all of the experimental animals were sacrificed. Six animals were randomly selected from each group for micro-CT and a histological examination, and the remaining animals were subjected to biomechanical tests.

CT images showed that the new bone formation in the distraction space of group B was significantly better than that of group A at 4 and 8 weeks post-stretch. At 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-stretch, the bone mineral density in group B was (0.157 ± 0.016) g/cm² and (0.234 ± 0.023) g/cm², respectively, and the bone mineral content was (0.096 ± 0.010) g and (0.204 ± 0.017) g, respectively. The above four means were significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.001). The micro-CT images and data suggest that the stretch gap microstructure of group B has more mature features. Histological experiments showed that the trabecular bone of group B was thick and mature, with few chondrocytes. The biomechanical test results showed that the biomechanical strength of the distraction gap in group B was (228.47 ± 39.98) N, which was 1.24 times that of group A (P = 0.045).

Interstitial use of periosteal protein in the distraction space of the mandible in rabbits can promote local new bone formation and mineralization.