Darab Faraji - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Jahandideh - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Asghari - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abolfazl Akbarzadeh - Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Saeed Hesaraki - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Objective- The present study was aimed to evaluate repair of a critical segmental defect of rabbit femur using the rabbit’s femoral defects repaired by Zeolite and Zeolite/Collagen scaffolds Design- Experimental StudyAnimals- Forty-five mature male New Zealand white rabbitsProcedures- The animals were randomly divided into three groups of ۱۵ animals each. In the first group (NC) the defect was made and with no treatment the wound was closed. In the second group (ZNC) the nanocomposite of zeolite was implanted into the defect. In the third group (Z/COL NC) the nanocomposite of zeolite/collagen was implanted into the defect. The periost and subcutaneous tissues were then closed primarily. The specimens were taken on days ۱۵, ۳۰, and ۶۰ postoperatively and assessed histopathologically.Results- Comparison of average scores of union index among groups showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of union in three groups (p<۰.۰۵). Descriptive statistics of spongiosa index showed that the highest point to the index was found in Z/COL NC group on day ۱۵ (۲.۲) and the lowest point was found in both ZNC and NC groups (۰.۶). Descriptive statistics of Bone marrow index showed that there was not a significant difference between the mean scores of the index in three groups (P>۰.۰۵).Conclusion and clinical relevance- The results of this study showed that zeolite and zeolite/collagen nanocomposite could be taken into consideration for grafting for bone fracture healing. It could be concluded that zeolite and zeolite/collagen nanocomposite bear a crucial capability in the reconstruction of bone defects and could be used as scaffold in bone fractures.

Bone regeneration, histopathological evaluation, nanocomposite, zeolite, zeolite/collagen