An Electron Microscopical Study of the Interaction of Bone With Growth Hormone Loaded Bone Cement

Growth hormone was incorporated into Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) with a view to improving the quality of the bone-cement interface. Growth hormone was released from the PMMA and delivered to the cells at the bone-cement interface . The in vivo response to the growth hormone loaded cement was compared to the plain cement , using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, in a rabbit model. The results indicate that growth hormone released at the bone-cement interface stimulated osteogenesis and the reorganization of the tissue components. An advancing mineral front was observed in the direction of the bone cement with new bone formed in direct apposition to cement. This was compared to the interface with plain PMMA cement , which showed little organization of the tissue components , and spaces between the bone and the cement containing areas of fibrous tissue.