Biochemical markers of blood serum in rabbits after experimental posterolateral lumbar fusion with autologous platelet-rich fibrin
Background. The study of serum biochemical markers allows assessing indirectly the process of bone tissue reparative regeneration activity. The objective was to study the markers of mineral metabolism and the connective tissue metabolism in the blood plasma of rabbits after experimental posterolateral lumbar fusion using various grafts. Materials and methods. Monosegmental posterolateral lumbar fusion was performed in 42 mature California males rabbits aged 4-5 months, which were divided into 6 groups (7 animals each). In the control group 1, grafts were not applied; there were used: group 2 - local autograft, group 3 - local autograft with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), group 4 - allograft from iliac crest, group 5 - allograft from iliac crest with PRF, group 6 - PRF. Biochemical markers in the blood plasma (total protein, glycoproteins, chondroitin sulfates, β-lipoproteins, alkaline phosphatase activity, total calcium, phosphorus) were evaluated twice: 1) to obtain normative indices in intact animals 5-7 days before surgery (Nint group); 2) eight weeks after the fusion before rabbits were sacrificed. Results. The content of total protein, calcium and phosphorus was within the physiological norm for these animal species. In all experimental groups, the level of glycoproteins, chondroitin sulfates, β-lipoproteins, the activity of alkaline phosphatase were increased. Conclusions. The results in groups using bone allografts and local autografts combined with PRF were most similar with the level of studied biochemical markers of the rabbits from the intact group; the greatest differences were found in the control group, where the decortication of the transverse processes was performed without using grafts.