Comparison of the effect of Nano Ostrich Eggshell and Hydroxyapatite on Bone Defect Healing in Rat Calvaria

Fracture healing is important in medicine; thus seeking new techniques with fewer side effects to improve the speed of the healing is prudent.

This experimental study sought to assess the effect of the nano ostrich eggshell (N-OES) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite on bone defect healing in rat calvaria.

In this study, a 7-mm bone defect was created in the calvaria of 45 male Sprague–Dawley rats. The animals were randomly divided into three groups, and the defects in each group were filled with N-OES, HA, or as a control group. The animals were euthanized and histological and serological assessments were carried out at 14, 28 and 42 days after the operation.

At 14 and 28 days after the operation, in the edges of the defect, there was a significant difference between the treatment and control groups (p ≤ 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between N-OES and HA treatment groups (p > 0.05). At this time, in the center of the defect, there was a statistically significant difference between the N-OES group with HA and control groups (p ≤ 0.05). On day 42, no significant difference in the edges of the defect was observed between all groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the center of the defect between the N-OES group with HA and control groups (p ≤ 0.05). Results of the serological assessment indicated that the applied treatments increased the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase.

The results of this study indicate the potential efficacy of nano ostrich eggshell as a bone substitute in rat calvaria defects.