Vascular smooth muscle contraction/relaxation of rat carotid artery is not altered by bone grafting substitutes in vitro.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of various bone grafting substitutes (Osteosponge, Perioglas, Tutoplast, and Surgibone) on vascular smooth muscle tonus.

Methods: Bilateral carotid arteries were removed from rats and contraction/relaxation of isolated vessel rings were measured before and after contact with the biomaterials and then, for dose-dependent epinephrine and papaverin administrations, by a force displacement transducer. The data of each biomaterial group were collected by a computerized system and corresponding software at a sample rate of 1,000 kHz and were converted to contraction force.

Results: Vascular contraction forces were influenced in response to biomaterials tested except for Osteosponge (P < 0.05), although the differences between groups were insignificant (P > 0.05). There was a dose-dependent vascular response to epinephrine and papaverine administration upon biomaterial contact (P < 0.05). The dose-dependent vascular responses to epinephrine and papaverine administration were almost similar for all biomaterials tested (P < 0.05), suggesting that the biomaterials led to reversible effects on vascular contraction/relaxation behavior, which resulted in recovery.

Conclusions: Osteosponge, Perioglas, Tutoplast, and Surgibone do not alter vascular smooth muscle tonus and vitality and therefore would, presumably, not jeopardize the angiogenesis of fresh blood vessels and full vascularization during tissue healing.