A joint research study between the International Private University and the University of Damascus highlights the role of MSM in promoting bone regeneration.
As part of the ongoing progress in the fields of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, a joint research team from the International University for Science and Technology and the University of Damascus conducted an advanced scientific study entitled:
“Enhancing Bone Regeneration: The Role of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery.” The study was published in the Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, a journal of the renowned Springer-Nature publishing house, and indexed in Q2 in Oral Surgery according to the Scimago database.
The study focused on exploring the potential of the compound methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), known for its bone-stimulating properties, to accelerate the healing of bone defects in the lower jaws of rabbits. This may contribute in the future to the development of effective therapeutic strategies to replace damaged bone in patients.
The study included twelve male New Zealand rabbits, each of which underwent four surgically created bone defects in the lower jaw. The defects were divided into four groups:
Two experimental groups: one treated with 20 mM MSM using Gelfoam, and the other with 10 mM MSM using Gelfoam.
Two control groups: one treated with Gelfoam alone (positive control), while the other was left to heal naturally without intervention (negative control).
Bone healing was assessed histologically at specified time points (4, 8, and 12 weeks post-surgery), by analyzing four rabbits at each time point, following a humane euthanasia protocol.
The results showed clear and statistically significant differences:
The degree of osteoblast activity was significantly higher in the MSM-treated groups compared to the control and Gelfoam-only groups, with a p-value <0.001 for both MSM concentrations. Clear statistical differences were also found between the two MSM concentrations (10 and 20 mM) (P = 0.004), indicating that the compound concentration affects its efficacy. No significant differences were found between Gelfoam alone and the control group (P = 0.468). Regarding the degree of bone-like tissue formation, it was significantly higher in the MSM groups compared to the two control groups (P = 0.021 at 20 mM and 0.028 at 10 mM), while no significant differences were observed between Gelfoam alone and the control group (P = 0.854). This study demonstrates that the topical application of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a promising option for promoting bone formation and accelerating the healing of bone defects. It has promising results, especially in the field of oral tumors, where preserving or regenerating bone structure is a key factor in improving the outcomes of surgical and rehabilitative treatment for maxillofacial patients.