Periodontal Regeneration Using an Anabolic Peptide With Two Carriers in Baboons

Background: Various growth proteins have been used to encourage periodontal tissue regeneration. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the periodontal regeneration achieved with the use of a synthetic anabolic peptide (AP) combined with either beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) or an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) as the carrier. Methods: Periodontal defects were created bilaterally adjacent to four mandibular teeth in five baboons. Plaque was allowed to accumulate around wire ligatures placed into the defects. After 2 months, the wire ligatures were removed, and a notch was placed at the base of the defect. The four teeth were randomly treated with one of the following treatments: 1) saline + ACS serving as the control, 2) AP + ACS, 3) saline + β‐TCP serving as another control, or 4) AP + β‐TCP. The baboons were sacrificed 5 months post‐treatment, and histomorphometric analyses were performed under masked conditions. Results: At 5 months post‐surgery, the mean length of new cementum for sites treated with AP + ACS, AP + β‐TCP, saline + ACS, saline + β‐TCP amounted to 3.32 ± 1.7 mm, 3.86 ± 1.0 mm, 2.87 ± 1.3 mm, and 3.15 ± 1.9 mm, respectively. The mean width of new cementum for the corresponding values was 52.5 ± 14.7 μm, 54.5 ± 24.2 μm, 37.4 ± 12.7 μm, and 48.9 ± 12.4 μm, respectively. The mean width of new periodontal ligament for corresponding values was 246 ± 140 μm, 166 ± 26 μm, 251 ± 92 μm, and 240 ± 91 μm. No statistically significant difference was observed for any of the parameters among groups in this pilot study. Conclusions: Preclinical studies showed that AP has positive anabolic effects on bone cells. In this study, no adverse tissue reactions were observed in the AP‐treated sites, including root resorption, ankylosis, or a foreign body reaction. The cementum length and width were greater in the sites treated with AP versus sites treated with a control; however, these differences were not significant in the small number of animals used. Further research is needed to define the potential of AP as a periodontal therapeutic agent.