Figure 4

The faster rate of bone remodeling was confirmed by histomorphometric analysis. Panels A and B are representative images (taken from Fig. 3A,C) depicting how the analysis was performed. In red are the remaining graft microparticles, in blue the newly formed bone. ROI and analysis were performed using the ImageJ software. The fraction of new bone was significantly higher in the cell-seeded biomaterial group at 4 weeks, indicating a faster osteogenesis (p = 0.012). The remaining graft particles were significantly lower in the cell-seeded biomaterial treated group at both time points indicating a higher substitution/resorption (p = 0.024) (D). At 8 weeks, the fraction of new bone within the graft was not significantly different between the 2 groups (C). Legend: h: host bone; wb: new woven bone; m: bone matrix; g: graft particle.