Evaluation of the bone repair in defects grafted with hydroxyapatite and collagen membrane combined with laser therapy in rats

Bone regeneration is the result of cellular events such as osteogenesis and neovascularization. However, implantation of autogenous grafts may be necessary in cases of bone mass loss due to high impact trauma. The disadvantages of the latter approach include morbidity of the donor area. Biomaterials represent an alternative for bone restoration. The most widely used compounds are collagen or hydroxyapatite membranes because of their biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Laser therapy has been applied in combination with these implants to accelerate bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of rat left tibial bone defects filled with hydroxyapatite or collagen membrane. Twenty rats were used. Surgical bone defects were created in the proximal third of the left tibia, and the animals were divided into four groups according to treatment: animals receiving hydroxyapatite implants (group H), animals receiving collagen implants (group C), animals treated with hydroxyapatite plus LLLT (group HL), and animals treated with collagen membrane plus LLLT (group CL). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery, and the bone samples were obtained for analysis. Histomorphometrical methods were used for new bone quantification. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Histological analysis showed the formation of new bone in the implant area with cortical aspect in groups. Bone neoformation was also demonstrated on radiographs as radiopacity of the hydroxyapatite granules and of the contour of the defects implanted with the collagen membrane. However, no significant difference for new bone formation was observed between the groups studied. The biomaterials used were presented good osteoconduction; however, the laser therapy protocol used was not adequate to accelerate the osteogenic process in the bone defect regeneration in the advanced bone healing process.