The aim of the present work was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) for reparation of large segmental bone defects. In addition, the coadjuvant efect of fibronectin (FN) was investigated. BMP was partially purified from bovine cortical bone. A total of 108 Sprague Dawley rats were used in the experiment. Diaphyseal segments of the femur (1.5 cm) were removed in each animal, manteinantthe bone defect with a wire. A gelatine capsula containing 25 mg of BMP without or with 0.5 mg of FN, were implanted into the bone defect (36 animal in each group).Results were compared to those obtained in a control group (36 animals) in which FN alone was implanted. The bone repair process was assessed by histologic and ultrastructural methods. Bone induction with reconstruction of the defect was found more of ten inthe group with both BMP and FN implanted (23 animals, 64%) than in the group with BMP implant alone (20 animals, 56%). Animals of the control group showed no bone induction. The results suggest that BMP augments the capacity of the host bed to sucessfully regenerate large segmental bone defects. FN seens to increase bone induction. This protein migth stabilize BMP locally improving contact between BMP and the surroundingcells.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) for reparation of large segmental bone defects. In addition, the coadjuvant efect of fibronectin (FN) was investigated. BMP was partially purified from bovine cortical bone. A total of 108 Sprague Dawley rats were used in the experiment. Diaphyseal segments of the femur (1.5 cm) were removed in each animal, manteinantthe bone defect with a wire. A gelatine capsula containing 25 mg of BMP without or with 0.5 mg of FN, were implanted into the bone defect (36 animal in each group).Results were compared to those obtained in a control group (36 animals) in which FN alone was implanted. The bone repair process was assessed by histologic and ultrastructural methods. Bone induction with reconstruction of the defect was found more of ten inthe group with both BMP and FN implanted (23 animals, 64%) than in the group with BMP implant alone (20 animals, 56%). Animals of the control group showed no bone induction. The results suggest that BMP augments the capacity of the host bed to sucessfully regenerate large segmental bone defects. FN seens to increase bone induction. This protein migth stabilize BMP locally improving contact between BMP and the surroundingcells.