Hadi Hassibi - Department of Veterinary Surgery, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Alireza Farsinejad - Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
Shahriar Dabiri - Pathology and stem cell Research Center, Department of Pathology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Dariush Vosough - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Background & Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of decellularized allogeneic bone graft enriched by periosteal stem cells (PSCs) and growth factors on the bone repair process in a rabbit model, which could be used in many orthopedic procedures. Methods: In this experimental study, a critical size defect (CSD) (10 mm) was created in the radial diaphysis of 40 rabbits. In group A, the defect was left intact with no medical intervention. In group B, the defect was filled by a decellularized bone graft. In group C, the defect was implanted by a decellularized bone graft enriched with platelet growth factors. In group D, the defect was treated by a decellularized bone graft seeded by periosteal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Also, in group E, the defect was filled by a decellularized bone graft enriched with platelet growth factors and periosteal MSCs. Radiological evaluation was done on the first day and then in the second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the operation. The specimens were harvested on the 28th and 56th postoperative days and evaluated for histopathological criteria. Results: The radiologic and microscopic analysis of the healing process in bone defects of the treated groups (C, D, and E) revealed more advanced repair criteria than those of groups A and B significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on this study, it appears that implantation of concentrated PSCs in combination with growth factors and allogeneic cortical bone graft is an effective therapy for the repair of large bone defects.

bone healing, Growth factors, Stem Cell, Allogeneic bone graft, Rabbit