MODULATION OF CRANIAL BONE HEALING WITH A HEPARIN-LIKE DEXTRAN DERIVATIVE

Substituted dextran polymers have been shown to bind growth factors an d protect them from enzymatic degradation. Using this information, oth er researchers have been able to use these substituted dextrans to enh ance the healing of bone in an environment where bone would otherwise not regenerate. We used substituted dextran polymers to evaluate their ability to accelerate the healing of cranial bone in a rabbit model. We were able to document a more rapid rate of healing and demonstrate micrographic evidence to support that conclusion. Possible mechanisms are postulated.