Bone regeneration enhancement by ultra-violet (UV) treatment for uHA/PLLA absorbable mesh.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone regeneration enhancement by ultra-violet (UV) treatment of an unsintered hydroxyapatite (u-HA)/poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) mesh in rabbitnasal bone. Thirty adult male Japanese white rabbits (12-16 weeks, 2.5-3.0 kg) were used in this study. After incising along the nasal bone, 6 × 6 × depth 1 mm two bone defects were made on both sides. In the UV group (n = 30), the defects were covered with uHA/PLLA mesh, treated by UV (wavelength 172 nm, tube wall illumination 13 mW/cm The UV group had a significantly higher number of ALP stained cells than the control group after 1, 2, and 3 weeks (P < 0.05). The bone ratio was also significantly higher in the UV group than in the control group after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (P < 0.05). This study suggests that bone regeneration can be enhanced by UV treatment using an uHA/PLLA mesh.