Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model

Abstract Background Whether demineralized bone matrix (DBM) combined with concentrated growth factors (CGF) can accelerate intervertebral fusion remains uncertain. This study developed a novel rat model for extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) and evaluated the fusion outcomes of DBM combined wit...

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Main Authors: Han Wu, Shaorong Li, WeiJian Wang, Jiaqi Li, Wei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05954-2
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author Han Wu
Shaorong Li
WeiJian Wang
Jiaqi Li
Wei Zhang
author_facet Han Wu
Shaorong Li
WeiJian Wang
Jiaqi Li
Wei Zhang
author_sort Han Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Whether demineralized bone matrix (DBM) combined with concentrated growth factors (CGF) can accelerate intervertebral fusion remains uncertain. This study developed a novel rat model for extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) and evaluated the fusion outcomes of DBM combined with CGF using imaging and histological analysis. Methods A total of 70 male SD rats (3 months old, average body weight 300 ± 50 g) were included in this study. Among them, 10 rats were used for the anatomical study of the lumbar spine. The remaining 48 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 per group): Group A (control), Group B (titanium plate fixation), Group C (DBM + titanium plate fixation), and Group D (DBM + CGF + titanium plate fixation). The remaining 12 rats were used as donors to prepare fresh CGF. Eight weeks after surgery, the rats were euthanized and lumbar spine specimens were collected, with interbody fusion evaluated by manual palpation. Subsequently, specimens from groups B, C, and D were analyzed by micro-CT and histological examinations to comprehensively assess the fusion outcome. Results The anatomical and surgical techniques for the rat XLIF model are described. Titanium plates (7 mm × 2.5 mm × 0.8 mm) and screws (3 mm × 1 mm) were designed based on the anatomical measurements. In Group A, spontaneous fusion occurred in 1 case; the remaining 11 cases showed intervertebral mobility. In Group B, 3 cases achieved fusion; in Group C, 8 cases; and in Group D, 11 cases. Micro-CT revealed fusion index scores (FIS) of 2.21 ± 0.51 for Group B, 3.62 ± 0.67 for Group C, and 4.57 ± 0.56 for Group D. Histological examination showed limited bone formation in Group B, with fibrous connective tissue filling the intervertebral space. Group C showed more bone formation, but some cartilage and fibrous tissue remained. Group D demonstrated abundant new bone formation and robust histological fusion, with substantial bridging between vertebrae. Conclusion The rat XLIF model for interbody fusion has been successfully established and validated. Using this model, it was preliminarily demonstrated that DBM combined with CGF can effectively promote intervertebral fusion in rats.
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spelling doaj-art-0bd1a9027d5940668e5f2ea71ffeba372025-08-20T03:16:31ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-05-0120111510.1186/s13018-025-05954-2Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion modelHan Wu0Shaorong Li1WeiJian Wang2Jiaqi Li3Wei Zhang4Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityAbstract Background Whether demineralized bone matrix (DBM) combined with concentrated growth factors (CGF) can accelerate intervertebral fusion remains uncertain. This study developed a novel rat model for extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) and evaluated the fusion outcomes of DBM combined with CGF using imaging and histological analysis. Methods A total of 70 male SD rats (3 months old, average body weight 300 ± 50 g) were included in this study. Among them, 10 rats were used for the anatomical study of the lumbar spine. The remaining 48 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 per group): Group A (control), Group B (titanium plate fixation), Group C (DBM + titanium plate fixation), and Group D (DBM + CGF + titanium plate fixation). The remaining 12 rats were used as donors to prepare fresh CGF. Eight weeks after surgery, the rats were euthanized and lumbar spine specimens were collected, with interbody fusion evaluated by manual palpation. Subsequently, specimens from groups B, C, and D were analyzed by micro-CT and histological examinations to comprehensively assess the fusion outcome. Results The anatomical and surgical techniques for the rat XLIF model are described. Titanium plates (7 mm × 2.5 mm × 0.8 mm) and screws (3 mm × 1 mm) were designed based on the anatomical measurements. In Group A, spontaneous fusion occurred in 1 case; the remaining 11 cases showed intervertebral mobility. In Group B, 3 cases achieved fusion; in Group C, 8 cases; and in Group D, 11 cases. Micro-CT revealed fusion index scores (FIS) of 2.21 ± 0.51 for Group B, 3.62 ± 0.67 for Group C, and 4.57 ± 0.56 for Group D. Histological examination showed limited bone formation in Group B, with fibrous connective tissue filling the intervertebral space. Group C showed more bone formation, but some cartilage and fibrous tissue remained. Group D demonstrated abundant new bone formation and robust histological fusion, with substantial bridging between vertebrae. Conclusion The rat XLIF model for interbody fusion has been successfully established and validated. Using this model, it was preliminarily demonstrated that DBM combined with CGF can effectively promote intervertebral fusion in rats.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05954-2Intervertebral fusionXLIFConcentrated growth factorDemineralized bone matrix
spellingShingle Han Wu
Shaorong Li
WeiJian Wang
Jiaqi Li
Wei Zhang
Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Intervertebral fusion
XLIF
Concentrated growth factor
Demineralized bone matrix
title Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
title_full Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
title_fullStr Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
title_full_unstemmed Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
title_short Demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
title_sort demineralized bone matrix combined with concentrated growth factors promotes intervertebral fusion in a novel rat extreme lateral interbody fusion model
topic Intervertebral fusion
XLIF
Concentrated growth factor
Demineralized bone matrix
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05954-2
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AT weijianwang demineralizedbonematrixcombinedwithconcentratedgrowthfactorspromotesintervertebralfusioninanovelratextremelateralinterbodyfusionmodel
AT jiaqili demineralizedbonematrixcombinedwithconcentratedgrowthfactorspromotesintervertebralfusioninanovelratextremelateralinterbodyfusionmodel
AT weizhang demineralizedbonematrixcombinedwithconcentratedgrowthfactorspromotesintervertebralfusioninanovelratextremelateralinterbodyfusionmodel