Bone regeneration and mineralisation was promoted during distraction osteogenesis by human periostin gene in rabbit mandibular model.

To study the effect of periostin gene on bone regeneration and mineralisation during distraction osteogenesis (DO) in a rabbit mandibular model. A total of 54 New Zealand white rabbits underwent mandibular lengthening and were divided into group A and group B (n=27, each). At the end of the distraction, adenoviruses containing human POSTN/enhanced green fluorescent protein (Ad5-POSTN/EGFP) viruses or Ad5-POSTN viruses were injected into the distraction gaps in the group B or A, respectively. On the 4th and 8th week after distraction, eight samples, randomly selected from each group, were subjected to CT scanning and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry detection. All animals from each group were sacrificed for micro-CT, histology, and three-point bend testing eight weeks after DO. The CT images showed that callus in the distraction gap of group B was significantly better than that of group A. On the 4th and 8th weeks, the bone mineral densities (BMD) of the bone tissue in the distraction gap of the group B were 0.163±0.011g/cm2 and 0.239±0.024g/cm2, respectively, while the bone mineral contents (BMC) was 0.099±0.011g and 0.205±0.018g, respectively, which were significantly higher compared with group A. Histological sections showed that the trabecular bone in the distraction gap of group B was more coarse. On the basis of micro-CT images and micro-architecture parameters show that the microstructure of the distraction gap of the group B had more mature characteristics. The biomechanical strength of the distracted gap in the group B was 234.30±30.48N, which was 1.28 times higher than that in the group A (P=0.003). Local transduction with human periostin gene would promote osteogenesis and mineralisation in a rabbit mandibular DO model. Periostin might be considered for clinical use if only there is a safe and effective administration method.