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Show HEALTH SCIENCES LEAP PROGRAM SPRING 2013 Shae Young Roy Bloebaum OSTEOPOROSIS SHEEP MODEL Shae Young (Roy Bloebaum, Sujee Jeyapalina) Department of Orthopedics University of Utah It is reported that 1 in 3 w o m e n and 1 in 5 m e n over the age of 50 experience osteoporotic fractures. Although it is a c o m m o n occurrence, currently, there are no treatment options that accelerate the bone healing responses in osteoporotic patients suffering from critical size bone defects (CSDs). In order to bridge this gap, w e have hypothesized that a controlled delivery of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) will accelerate the healing responses in osteoporotic patients. Based on previous studies, it is believed that KeraGenics bone putty would be an excellent candidate for the controlled BMP-2 delivery. To test hypothesis, the current research is to be undertaken. Initially, in order to introduce osteoporosis in a clinical relevant translational model, a group 21, 5-6 year old sheep will undergo ovariectomy surgeries and subsequent weekly injection of steroid for 7-months. During this period they will be fed with calcium/vitamin D deficient diet. At surgeries and at three-month intervals, the bone mineral density (BMD) will be monitored using DEXA measurements. At the end of the 30-week period, all animals will undergo a 2nd surgery to introduce a C S D (20-25 m m ) to the mid right metatarsal bone. The animal will then be randomized into three groups. Each group will be treated with either with autograph bone, or KeraGenics bone putty or KeraGenics bone putty with BMP-2. Then the defect will be stabilized with two locking plates and allowed to ambulate for 6 months. The rate of bone bridging will be monitored using periodic radiographs. At the end of 6-month period, sheep will be euthanized and the bone bridging will be quantified by using CT and histological measurements. It is anticipated that the CSG of animals that received the BMP-2 treatment will heal faster than other groups. |
