Erythropoietin augments bone formation in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that erythropoietin (EPO) enhances bone formation after posterolateral spinal fusion (PLF) in a rabbit model. Thirty-four adult rabbits underwent posterolateral intertransverse arthrodesis at the L5-L6 level using 2.0ag autograft per side. The animals were randomly divided into two groups receiving subcutaneous daily injections of either EPO or saline for 20 days. Treatment commenced 2 days preoperatively. Hemoglobin was monitored at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after fusion surgery. After euthanasia 6 weeks postoperatively, manual palpation, radiographic, and histomorphometric examinations were performed. Bone volume of the fusion mass was estimated by CT after 6 weeks. EPO increased bone fusion volume to 3.85accm (3.66-4.05) compared with 3.26accm (2.97-3.55) in the control group (pa<a0.01). EPO treatment improved vascularization of the fusion mass and increased hemoglobin levels (pa<a0.01). Fusion rate tended to be higher in the EPO group based on manual palpation, CT, and radiographic examinations. For the first time EPO has shown to augment bone formation after autograft PLF in a rabbit model. Increased vascularization provides a partial explanation for the efficacy of EPO as a bone autograft enhancer.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1083-1088
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of orthopaedic research
Volume30
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22144136

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • bone formation, erythropoietin, in vivo, posterolateral spinal fusion, rabbit