The optimal scaffold for silk sericin-based bone graft: collagen versus gelatin

Background Silk sericin is an active ingredient in bone grafts. However, the optimal scaffold for silk sericin has yet to be identified. Method A critical-sized bone defect model in rat calvaria was used to evaluate bone regeneration. Silk sericin from Yeonnokjam, Bombyx mori, was incorporated into gelatin (group G, n = 6) and collagen (group C, n = 6). Bone regeneration was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (mCT) and histology. Results Group C showed a larger bone volume than group G in the mCT analysis (P = 0.001). Histological analysis showed a larger area of bony defects in group G than in group C. The bone regeneration area in group C was significantly larger than that in group G (P = 0.003). Conclusion Compared with gelatin, collagen shows better bone regeneration in silk sericin-based bone grafts.