Dehydrothermally Cross-Linked Collagen Membrane with a Bone Graft Improves Bone Regeneration in a Rat Calvarial Defect Model

In this study, the bone regeneration efficacy of dehydrothermally (DHT) cross-linkedcollagen membrane with or without a bone graft (BG) material was evaluated in a critical-sized ratmodel. An 8-mm-diameter defect was created in the calvaria of 40 rats, which were randomized intofour groups: (1) control; (2) DHT; (3) BG; and, (4) DHT + BG. Evaluations were made at 2 and 8 weeksafter surgery using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT), histological, and histomorphometricanalyses. Micro-CT analysis showed an increase in the new bone volume (NBV) of the BG and DHT+ BG groups at 2 weeks after surgery, representing a significant difference (p < 0.05). At 8 weeksafter surgery, the NBV increased in all four groups. However, larger NBVs were observed in theBG and DHT + BG groups, and a significant difference was no longer observed between the twogroups. Histologic analysis demonstrated that the graft materials sustained the center of the defectin the BG and DHT + BG groups, which was shown in histomorphometric analysis as well. Theseresults suggest that DHT membrane is a safe biomaterial with adequate tissue integration, and hasa positive effect on new bone formation. Moreover, the best effects were achieved when DHT wasused in conjunction with BG materials.