LLLT Combined With Bone Marrow Aspirate Presents Potent Osteogenic Effect

Objectives: This study evaluated the influence of bone marrow aspirate (BMA), low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and their combination on bone healing in surgically created critical-size defects (CSD) in rat calvaria.
Methods: Forty rats were divided into four groups: C (control), BMA, LLLT and BMA/LLLT. A 5 mm diameter CSD was created in the calvarium of each animal. In Group C, the defect was filled by blood clot only. In Group BMA, the defect was filled with BMA. In groups LLLT and BMA/LLLT, the defect received laser irradiation (InGaAlP laser), was filled with blood clot or BMA respectively, and irradiated again. Animals were euthanized 30 days postoperatively. Serial longitudinal sections (5 μm thick) were subjected to immunoperoxidase method for detection of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and osteocalcin (OCN). The Total Area (TA), corresponding to the entire area of the orginal defect, was identified. BMP-2-positive and OCN-positive cells were quantified within the confines of the TA. Data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05).
Results: Group BMA/LLLT presented significantly higher number of BMP-2-positive and OCN-positive cells than groups C, LLLT and BMA. Group BMA presented significantly higher number of OCN-positive cells than groups C and LLLT.
Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that the combined therapy BMA/LLLT presents potent osteogenic local effect.