The effects of boron nitride/hydroxyapatite compounds on bone defects in osteoporotic rats

•Osteoporotic defect will reach 316 million by 2040.•Osteoporotic model is frequently used in studies on the subject.•BN/HA compound may represent a potent agent that can be used in the treatment. This study investigated the effects of poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds containing different concentrations of boron nitride (BN) and/or hydroxyapatite (HA) on bone defects in osteoporotic rats. The control group consisted of healthy rats. A standard non-critical size defect was induced in the osteoporotic rat femurs 12 weeks post-ovariectomy. PLGA scaffolds containing different concentrations of BN+HA were then applied to the defect area. In one group, defect was induced but no PLGA was applied. Computed tomography images were obtained and tissue samples were collected in the first, second, and fourth weeks postoperatively. PLGA scaffolds were classified as no BN + HA, only 10% HA, 2.5% BN + 10% HA, 5% BN + 10% HA, 10% BN + 10% HA or only 2.5%, 5% or 10% BN. No healing was determined in the first and second weeks postoperatively. However, in the fourth week healing was observed in the groups treated with PLGA scaffolds containing 10% HA, 2.5% BN + 10% HA, 2.5% BN and 5% BN, and especially in the 2.5% BN + 10% HA group. The findings of this study suggest that BN may represent a novel target for treating osteoporotic bone defects for physicians and engineers.