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A magnesium-zinc alloy rod was implanted into the marrow cavity of the distal femur in New Zealand rabbits. The femur with the implanted alloy was compared with the contralateral femur in which a bone tunnel without implant was formed as a control. Degradation of the magnesium-zinc alloy was analyzed via X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, and element energy spectrum analysis. Serum magnesium, liver and kidney function tests, and myocardial enzymes were measured. Heart, liver, kidney and spleen were sectioned for pathological analysis, and the effects of the implanted material on the histology and function of important organs were analyzed. Magnesium-zinc alloy was resorbed from the bone marrow cavity of the femur; 87% of the alloy was degraded within 14 weeks after the surgery. There were no significant differences in serum magnesium, liver or kidney function tests, or myocardial enzymes before the surgery and after degradation of the magnesium-zinc alloy. Histology of the heart, liver, kidney, and spleen did not change. This study demonstrated that magnesium-zinc alloy can be resorbed in bone, and that the degradation products have good biocompatibility with heart, liver, kidney, and spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]