The Effect of Osteopontin and an Osteopontin-Derived Synthetic Peptide Coating on Osseointegration of Implants in a Canine Model

Osteopontin (OPN) and an OPN-derived synthetic peptide, OC-1016, have demonstrated their potential to enhance osseointegration in vitro. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and surrounding bone density (BD) of implants coated with either recombinant human OPN (rhOPN) or OC-1016 as compared with noncoated titanium plasma sprayed (TPS) surface in a canine model. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that at 4 weeks, %BIC and %BD of coated implants were significantly higher than those of noncoated TPS implants. At 12 weeks, %BIC of coated implants was also significantly higher than that of noncoated implants; however, there was no statistically significant difference in %BD. The rhOPN and OC-1016 were concluded to be capable of significantly accelerating the early stage of osseointegration and bone healing around implants.