Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a potent differentiating agent for cells of the osteoblastic lineage. It has been used in the oral cavity under a variety of indications and with different carriers. However, the optimal carrier for each indication is not known. This study evaluated the bone regenerative effect of rhBMP-2 delivered with different carrier systems.

8 mm critical-sized rat calvarial defects were used in 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into 6 groups containing 10 animals each. Two groups were controls that had no treatment and absorbable collagen membrane only. 4 groups were experimentals that contained rhBMP-2 only and applied with absorbable collagen sponge(Collatape®), MBCP®, Bio-Oss® each. The histological and histometric parameters were used to evaluate the defects after 2- or 8-week healing period. The shape and total augmented area were stable in all groups over the healing time.

New bone formation was significantly greater in the rhBMP-2 with carrier group than control group. rhBMP-2/ACS was the highest in bone density but gained less new bone area than rhBMP-2/MBCP® and rhBMP-2/Bio-Oss®. The bone density after 8 weeks was greater than that after 2 weeks in all groups. However, rhBMP-2 alone failed to show the statistically significant difference in new bone area and bone density compared to control group. Also MBCP® and Bio-Oss® particles remained after 8 weeks healing period.

These results suggest that rhBMP-2 with carrier system is an excellent inductive agent for bone formation and we can use it as the predictable bone tissue engieering technique. Future study will likely focus on the kinetics of BMP release and development of carriers that is ideal for it.