Alveolar ridge repair in a canine model using rhTGF-beta(1) with barrier membranes

In both normal and membrane-assisted situations, healing events are modulat ed by the activity of endogenous protein molecules known as cytokines. Due to its mitogenic and chemotactic characteristics, the addition of rhTGF-bet a(1) should increase the rate of osteogenesis or increase the potential for bone regeneration in oral osseous defects. This study evaluates the effect s of an osteoconductive biodegradable matrix incorporating human recombinan t transforming growth factor beta 1 (rhTGF-beta(1)) in conjunction with bar rier membranes on bone regeneration in canine alveolar ridge defects. A mat rix of calcium carbonate and hydroxyethyl starch served as the carrier for test concentrations of 2.0 mu g/0.8 ml and 20.0 mu g/0.8 ml of rhTGF-beta(1 ). One surgically prepared site in each of 13 adult male foxhounds received 1 of 4 experimental treatment regimens, with 6 sites utilizing barrier mem branes, Four sites in each of 2 additional animals, two containing carrier matrix only and 2 with the additional barrier membrane, served as controls. Specimens were retrieved after 2 months of healing and processed for routi ne light microscopy, The quantity and composition of regenerated bone was e xamined. Analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the development of bone with the use of rhTGF-beta(1). Likewis e, a statistically significant increase in regeneration was found in membra ne-protected sites over nonmembrane-protected sites. No statistically signi ficant difference was noted between the low and high dose treatments, The a uthors conclude that the use of rhTGF-beta(1) in conjunction with a barrier membrane greatly enhances bone regeneration in osseous oral defects,