Found a material that will help grow new bone tissue
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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American specialists were able to build new bone tissue on the damaged skull in the rodent. Most scientists around the world have already called this experiment a technical revolutionary step in the field of surgical bone reconstruction.
The newest technological method, invented by specialists from the universities of the North-West and Chicago in Illinois, should help to solve the problem of the restoration of bone tissue in the body, as well as a number of located vascular network. In this case, the use of grafts will become unnecessary.
A new biological material that can "build up" bone tissue, gives fairly rapid and qualitative results.
"The results of the experiments are truly amazing. If our idea turns out to be realized, then it will be possible to forget about heavy, painful and unimproved operations on bone plastic (about the so-called "counting"), "Gillermo Amir is sure. Amir is a doctor of biomedical engineering, representing the faculty of McCormick University of the North-West - he was directly involved in the development of the method.
Damage and anomalies of the cranium are hard to correct. In most cases, surgeons have to use parts of the patient's own bone tissue - for example, fragments of the hip bone or ribs. Such treatment is very traumatic and unsafe, especially if the bone defect has a considerable area.
A group of scientists led by Professor Amir was able to grow bone tissue over an artificial hydrogel framework, using a catalyzing protein growth factor.
In order not to have to introduce a stimulating protein from the outside, specialists were able to achieve a certain modification of the cells for self-production of the protein substance by the body. Covering bone damage with a frame, scientists placed in this place cells that produce a protein growth factor. Soon the affected area was filled with a young network of vessels and a dense natural bone tissue.
During the study, autologous cellular structures were used that could not provoke rejection. As the stimulating protein, the BMP9 protein was selected.
The skeleton for building up bone had the following composition: citric acid and polymeric nanocomposite. Nanocomposite initially is a liquid that under the influence of the temperature of the human body is transformed into a gel.
During surgical intervention, the surgeon distributes the biological material at the site of the bone defect: the mass immediately solidifies, forming an elastic "patch" on the bone, which subsequently degenerates into normal healthy bone tissue.
Scientists are sure that this innovation will soon be widely used in the field of bone surgery and reconstruction. Elimination of bone defects is possible for patients after mechanical trauma to the skull, after resection of the tumor processes, for the correction of congenital abnormalities of the development of the skull, etc. Although the researchers advise not to rush to conclusions yet, the experiments were conducted only on rodents.
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