Surgical Bone Implantation Technique for Rat Tibia Models of Diabetes and Osteoporosis

The rat has long served as a valuable animal model in implant dentistry and orthopedics, particularly in studying the interactions between biomaterials and bone tissue. The rat's tibia is frequently chosen due to its easy surgical access through thin tissue layers (skin and muscle) and the flattened shape of its medial face, facilitating the surgical insertion of intraosseous devices. Additionally, this model enables the induction of specific diseases, mimicking various clinical conditions to assess biological responses to different implant conditions like geometry, surface texture, or biological cues. However, despite its robust cortical structure, certain intraosseous devices may require adaptations in design and size for successful implantation. Therefore, establishing standardized surgical methods for manipulating both soft and hard tissues in the implantation region is essential for ensuring proper implant or screw device placement, particularly in fields like implant dentistry and orthopedics. This study included eighty Sprague Dawley rats divided into two groups based on their respective diseases: Group 1 with osteoporosis and Group 2 with Type 2 Diabetes. Implantations were performed at 4 weeks and 12 weeks, with the same surgeon following a consistent surgical technique. A positive biological response was observed, indicating complete osseointegration of all implants placed. These results validate the success of the surgical protocol, which can be replicated for other studies and serve as a benchmark for the biomaterials community. Notably, osseointegration values remained stable at both 4 weeks and 12 weeks for both disease models, demonstrating a durable integration of the implant over time and emphasizing the establishment of an intimate bone connection as early as 4 weeks.