Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of denosumab on a rabbit defect model

with local xenogen grafts histomorphometrically and radiologically.

Materials-Methods: For this purpose, two 10 mm diameter critical-size defects were created in 16 rabbits. In the control group, the defect area was filled with a xenogen graft, while in the denosumab group (DEN), a xenogen graft combination with 6mg denosumab was used. For both 4- and 8-week study groups, new bone, residual graft and soft tissue areas were evaluated as well as bone volume.

Results: Histomorphometrically, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at both 4 and 8 weeks in terms of residual graft, new bone and soft tissue area values (p>0,05). In the control group, the 4-week residual graft values were found to be significantly higher than 8-week values (p<0,05). The soft tissue area values of the DEN group 4-week specimens were significantly higher than the values at the 8-week specimens (p<0,05). In the radiologically measured total bone volume values at 8-week specimens were found to be significantly higher than the values at 4-week specimens (p<0,05).

Conclusion: In this study, denosumab, which is used locally in defects areas to be repaired with bone grafts, has no effect on new bone and total bone volume directly.

Keywords: animal models, bone grafting, denosumab