In vivo osteoinductivity of gelatin β-tri-calcium phosphate sponge and bone morphogenetic protein-2 on an equine third metacarpal bone defect

This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of a gelatin-β-TCP sponge (sponge) incorporating BMP-2 (BMP-2/sponge) on bone regeneration in equines. Six bone defects were created in third metacarpals of five thoroughbred horses, and a total of six treatments were applied in a randomized manner. The treatments were BMP-2/sponge, BMP-2/gelatin hydrogel sheet (sheet), free BMP-2, bFGF/sheet, plain sponge, and plain sheet. The defects were monitored for 16 weeks by radiography and then examined by histological analysis. Radiographic evaluation scores of bone regeneration revealed significantly greater bone regeneration of defects treated with BMP-2/sponge than defects treated with plain sponge or BMP-2 sheet (P < 0.05). In histological analysis, compact bone was observed over a wide area in the BMP-2/sponge treatment. We concluded that the treatment with BMP-2/sponge accelerated bone regeneration in the equines of this study.