Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining are two main methods that are commonly used for evaluating bone tissue repair, but there is a lack of the relevant research on whether these two methods can effectively evaluate the maturity of the bone tissue in the process of bone defect repair.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity of Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining on the determination of bone tissue maturity.
METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were involved in the study for establishing models of radial bone defects (15 mm in length). The tissue engineered bone made up of silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite/bone marrow stromal cells was implanted into bone defects in rabbits. The X-ray plain films of six rabbits were randomly selected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively after operation for the general observation, Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining, then the animals were sacrificed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: X-ray films and general specimens showed that bone defects were repaired and the new bone was changed into mature bone. At week 4, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that a large number of new cartilages, some bone-like tissue and a small number of woven bones could be seen around the silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite grafts; Masson staining showed green with a little red dye. At week 8, a lot of new bone, mature osteoblasts and a large number of woven bones were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the blood vessel formation could be seen. The typical red-green and white views were observed by Masson staining. At week 12, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that a large number of lamellar bones were integrated into a block, and the new medullary cavity could be seen; Masson staining showed mainly in red. Combination of hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining is a better method to determine the process of new bone to mature bone. However, in the judgment of bone maturity, Masson staining is more intuitive than hematoxylin-eosin staining.