Use of a gelatin hydrogel membrane containing β-tricalcium phosphate for guided bone regeneration enhances rapid bone formation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a thin gelatin hydrogel membrane containing β-tricalcium phosphate (G-TCP) for use in guided bone regeneration, a technique that we developed. G-TCP membranes were fabricated from gelatin and β-TCP powder, freezedried, and cross-linked by heating. The resulting G-TCP membranes were as thin as collagen membranes, with high mechanical integrity. Proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on G-TCP and collagen membranes were examined. On both membranes, BMSCs proliferated well and expressed alkaline phosphatase. However, more bone-like mineralized tissue formed on G-TCP membranes than on collagen membranes at 4 weeks. The effects of G-TCP and collagen membranes on bone regeneration in rat parietal bone defects were histologically examined. Bone bridges with mature uniform bone were observed under G-TCP membranes as early as 2 weeks. These results indicate that G-TCP is a GBR membrane that is comparable or superior to collagen membrane.