Wu Han, Li Shaorong, Wang WeiJian, Li Jiaqi, Zhang Wei
Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 139 Ziqiang Street, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050031, China.
J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 May 27;20(1):529. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05954-2.
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.
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.
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.
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.
脱矿骨基质（DBM）联合浓缩生长因子（CGF）是否能加速椎间融合仍不确定。本研究建立了一种新型大鼠极外侧椎间融合（XLIF）模型，并通过影像学和组织学分析评估了DBM联合CGF的融合效果。
本研究共纳入70只雄性SD大鼠（3月龄，平均体重300±50g）。其中10只大鼠用于腰椎解剖学研究。其余48只大鼠随机分为四组（每组n = 12）：A组（对照组）、B组（钛板固定组）、C组（DBM +钛板固定组）和D组（DBM + CGF +钛板固定组）。其余12只大鼠作为供体制备新鲜CGF。术后8周，对大鼠实施安乐死并采集腰椎标本，通过手动触诊评估椎间融合情况。随后，对B组、C组和D组的标本进行显微CT和组织学检查，以全面评估融合效果。
描述了大鼠XLIF模型的解剖学和手术技术。根据解剖测量结果设计了钛板（7mm×2.5mm×0.8mm）和螺钉（3mm×1mm）。A组有1例发生自发融合；其余11例显示椎间活动。B组有3例实现融合；C组有8例；D组有11例。显微CT显示，B组的融合指数评分（FIS）为2.21±0.51，C组为3.62±0.67，D组为4.57±0.56。组织学检查显示，B组骨形成有限，椎间间隙充满纤维结缔组织。C组显示更多的骨形成，但仍有一些软骨和纤维组织。D组显示大量新骨形成和强大的组织学融合，椎体之间有大量桥接。
成功建立并验证了大鼠椎间融合的XLIF模型。利用该模型初步证明，DBM联合CGF可有效促进大鼠椎间融合。
