This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the deproteinated bovine bone powder (DBBP) coated with calcium phosphate (Ca-P) on osseous regeneration in the calvarial bone defect of rat.

The DBBP (Control group, n=6) and the Ca-P coated DBBP (Experimental group, n=6) were grafted in the critical sized calvarial bone defect (8 mm) of rat weighing 250 g. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 4 week. The biopsy specimens were decalcified with 5% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. The rats were sacrificed at 8 week received tetracycline (1 week), calcein blue (4 week), and alizarin red (7 week), and the biopsy specimens were taken. The specimens were embedded in methylmethacrylate and ground to 10 µm thin sections were made. All of the specimens were stained with H & E and Masson's trichrome and examined under light microscope. The specimens at 8 week were examined under fluorescent microscope.

In the Control group, the grafted DBBP was surrounded with connective tissue, and osteoblasts were observed partially around the grafted particles at 1 week. At 4 week, some osteoid was observed and, new bone formation was observed at the periphery of grafted materials at 8 week, In the Experimental group, some osteoid was seen at the periphery of the grafted Ca-P coated DBBP at 1 week, and osteoblast and newly formed bone were observed around the grafted materials. At 8 week, newly formed bone was observed at the periphery of the grafted materials.

These results suggest that Ca-P coated DBBP group was more and faster than DBBP group in new bone formation and Ca-P could contribute to enhance bone formation in the critical sized calvarial bone defect of rat.