Effect of ozone therapy on autogenous bone graft healing in calvarial defects: a histologic and histometric study in rats

Abstract

AimThe purpose of this study was to analyze histologically the effect of ozone therapy in combination with autogenous bone graft on bone healing in rat calvaria. MethodsCritical size defects were created in calvaria of 27 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups of nine animals each: autogenous bone graft group (n=9); autogenous bone graft with ozone therapy group (80%, 30s 3d for 2wk, n=9); non-treatment (control) group (n=9). Animals were killed after 8wk. Histomorphometric assessments, using image analysis software, and histological analyses were performed. Primary outcome was total bone area. Secondary outcomes (osteoblast number, new bone formation) were also measured. ResultsHistomorphometrically, the total bone area in the autogenous bone graft with ozone therapy group (9.32.2) were significantly higher than that of the autogenous bone graft group (5.1 +/- 1.8) (p<0.05). Also, the ozone therapy group significantly increased the percentage of total bone area compared to the autogenous bone graft group (p<0.05). The osteoblast number significantly increased in the autogenous bone graft with the ozone therapy group (58 +/- 12.3) compared to the autogenous bone graft group (9.3 +/- 3.5) (p<0.05). Also, it was observed that autogenous bone graft with ozone therapy group showed significant new bone formation when compared to the autogenous bone graft group (p<0.05). ConclusionOzone therapy enhances new bone formation by autogenous bone graft in the rat calvarial defect model.