abstract
This in vivo study presents the preliminary results of the use of a novel piezoelectric actuator for orthopedic application. The innovative use of the converse piezoelectric effect to mechanically stimulate bone was achieved with polyvinylidene fluoride actuators implanted in osteotomy cuts in sheep femur and tibia. The biological response around the osteotomies was assessed through histology and histomorphometry in nondecalcified sections and histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in decalcified sections, namely, through Masson's trichrome, and labeling of osteopontin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. After one-month implantation, total bone area and new bone area were significantly higher around actuators when compared to static controls. Bone deposition rate was also significantly higher in the mechanically stimulated areas. In these areas, osteopontin increased expression was observed. The present in vivo study suggests that piezoelectric materials and the converse piezoelectric effect may be used to effectively stimulate bone growth.
keywords
ELECTRIC-FIELDS; DNA-SYNTHESIS; OSTEOPONTIN; STIMULATION; FIBROBLASTS; RAT; OSTEOBLAST; CELLS; SIALOPROTEIN; OSTEOGENESIS
subject category
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Research & Experimental Medicine
authors
Reis, J; Frias, C; Castro, CCE; Botelho, ML; Marques, AT; Simoes, JAO; Silva, FCE; Potes, J
our authors
Joana Margarida Ferreira da Costa Reis
Assistant ProfessorGroups
acknowledgements
The Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) supports this paper (projects PTDC/EME-PME/65749/2006, PTDC/EMEPME/70824/ 2006, and Grant BD/31895/2006). However, FCT played no role in the development of the present work or upon its submission for publication.; This paper is funded by FEDER Funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors-COMPETE and National Funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology under the Strategic Project PEst-C/AGR/UI0115/2011. Authors acknowledge also the financial support from the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) in the forms of projects PTDC/EME-PME/65749/2006 and PTDC/EME-PME/70824/2006 and Ph.D. Grant BD/31895/2006 of Joana Reis. The Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) played no role in the development of the present work or upon its submission for publication.