A novel hydroxyapatite fiber material for the regeneration of critical-sized rabbit calvaria defects

Hydroxyapatite (HA) [Ca10 (PO4)6 (OH)2] has a high degree of chemical similarity with the mineral composition of animal bone. Hydroxyapatite fiber scaffold (HAF) is a biological material with a highly interconnected porous structure. We aimed to study the physical and biological characteristics of HAF and compare the osteogenic effects of HAF, natural osteogenic materials (NOM), and carbonate apatite (CO3Ap-DP) in the parietal defects of a rabbit's skull. X-ray analysis and histological assessment showed that HAF followed a trend of early initial osteogenesis and bone trabecular structure formation, especially at the cortical bone portion.Compared to the other two materials, HAF was more absorptive. Results indicated that HAF had the same osteoconductive and new bone formation properties as NOM and CO3Ap-DP. These findings will provide options for future material development and novel protocols for use in surgeries, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.