MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF BONE HEALING UNDER THE EFFECT OF COLLAGEN-GRAFT-GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN COPOLYMER SUPPLEMENTED WITH THE TRIPEPTIDE GLY-HIS-LYS

The authors prepared 7.5% and 12.5% collagen gel, and supplemented it with the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys (GHK), perfloxacine and hypersulphated glycosaminoglycan (HSGAG). By means of I-125 marking, its absorption was followed from small polyurethane sponges placed under the skin of rats. The absorption of gel without HSGAG was found to be faster. Anti bodies against collagen (type I, II and III) or collagen gel were gene rated either in rabbits or in minipigs, in which collagen gel was test ed. Microbiological tests proved the sterility of the collagen gel. Th e collagen gel supplemented with GHK, pefloxacine and HSGAG was named Colladel, and was used in a model experiment in guinea-pigs for fillin g artificially created bone defects in diaphyses of femurs, and with c ementless endoprostheses. The healing process was followed by means of RTG and NMR, and histologically. The slowest healing process was foun d in unfilled bone defects. Defects filled with Colladel without GHK h ealed substantially more quickly, and the most accelerated healing was connected with complete Colladel application. When Colladel was used with cementless endoprotheses, vivid osteogenic activity at the interf ace of trabecular bone and metal stem was detectable in the course of the experiment. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited