Zinc is one of the most essential elements in healing process of hard and soft tissues. Due to the significant role that zinc plays in activating the osteo-inductive enzymes, shortage of this mineral can result in insufficient or delayed healing. This study aimed to assess the osteogenesis in four bony defects utilizing ZnSo4, Ca(Po4)2 and the combination of these two.
Methods:
This single-blind in vivo study was implemented on four white male rabbits, each weighing 2.5-3 Kg. Each rabbit received a 4mm wide and 2mm deep bony defect in his Calvarium. Defect No. 1 has been left empty for normal ossification. Defect No.2, 3 and 4 were filled by Ca(Po4)2, Ca(Po4)2 + ZnSo4 and ZnSo4 respectively. Rabbits were sacrificed after 1 month and bony blocks having cited defects were stained by H&E and inspected under light microscope with magnification of 40x, 100x and 400x. The amount of new ossification was calculated based on variance analysis, LSD, mean value and standard deviation methods. p<0.001 was considered statistically significant. SPSS 13 software was used for data analysis and result extraction.
Results:
Lamellar bone has been formed in all samples. The mean amount of newly- formed bone was 99.25 mm (1/40 of real amount) In control defect group. In Calcium phosphate group, mean value of new bone formation was 105.688mm. Zinc sulfate + Calcium phosphate group showed 122.5 mm of new bone formation. Zinc sulfate group presented 114.563 mm of new bone formation. The difference among the amount of new bone formation of study groups have been shown statistically significant.
Conclusions:
Under limitations of this study, it can be concluded that simultaneous use of Zinc sulfate and Calcium phosphate has led to more bone formation. Also, all Zinc supplements stimulated bone formation compared to control group.