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Traditional materials for bone repair or replacements such as autografts and allografts have a limited supply and other complications. Thus, alternative materials need to be explored. Three-dimensional, porous composites prepared from bioresorbable polymers and hydroxyapatite or other calcium phosphate ceramics are promising materials for the repair or replacement of diseased or damaged bone. However, in many cases the ceramic component of these composites is crystalline in nature, while bone apatite is made of a poorly crystalline, carbonated phosphate system. In this study, we synthesized a noncrystalline, carbonated calcium phosphate ceramic by carrying out the reaction within bioresorbable PLAGA microspheres using a modified emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, making each individual microsphere a composite. Sintering the composite microspheres together yielded a bioresorbable, porous, 3-dimensional scaffold that may be ideal for tissue ingrowth, making this composite scaffold potentially suitable for bone repair applications., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Bioactive glass-ceramic materials of the CaO-P(2)O(5)-SiO(2) system modified by adding boron, magnesium, sodium, fluorine, and aluminum were obtained using the sol-gel method. Gel-derived materials were produced in the pellet form obtained by compression of powders as well as in coatings on glass slides. The materials obtained were examined in vitro with regard to the ability of calcium phosphate layer to form on the material surface as the result of contact with simulated body fluid (SBF). SBF pH changes and calcium solubility in this solution were determined and scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and infrared spectroscopy studies were conducted before and after contact of the materials with SBF. The gels modified by aluminum were amorphous, whereas the sodium and fluorine additives promoted the bulk crystallization of gel-derived materials. The ability of calcium phosphates to crystallize on the surface of gel-derived materials depended only slightly on the types of additives applied, and the character of this dependence was different from that observed in melted glasses. Moreover, to estimate the biocompatibility of gel-derived coatings, we examined the proliferation, collagen synthesis, adhesion, and morphology of fibroblasts (NRK cells) cultured in the presence of gel-derived materials. The results of these experiments showed that none of the tested materials significantly reduced any cell function., (Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

This study presents the manufacture of highly porous hydroxyapatite by a novel technique that employs the foaming of suspensions prior to the in situ polymerization of organic monomers contained in the compositions. This method produces strong gelled bodies with up to 90% porosity that can withstand machining in the green state. Complex-shaped components can be obtained if the process comprises casting in one of the processing steps. The organic additives are eliminated at temperatures above 300 degrees C, and sintering is carried out for consolidation of the ceramic matrix. Spherical interconnected cells with sizes ranging from 20 to 1000 micrometer characterize the porous structure, depending on the specimen density. Cytotoxicity tests were conducted on extracts from sintered HA foams based on a quantitative method of cell colony formation and the determination of cell death after indirect contact of the porous material with mammalian cells. This in vitro test of biological evaluation revealed that the original purity of the biomedical-grade hydroxyapatite powder was affected neither through processing nor by the employed reagents., (Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Compressive strength measurements were conducted on 32 macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (MBCP) samples to evaluate the influences and interactions of five synthesis factors: chemical composition, percentage of macropores, mean size of macropores, isostatic compaction pressure, and sintering temperature. These parameters were varied simultaneously between two limit levels. Experiments used a factorial design method (FDM) allowing optimization of the number of samples as well as statistical analysis of results. FDM showed that compressive strength, in a defined experimental area, can be described by a first-order polynomial equation in which the percentage of macroporosity and sintering temperature are the major influences. This study leads up to an isoresponse line diagram that will allow the manufacture of some classes of MBCP with fitted compressive strength.

We employed culture technology, which provides bone tissue in vitro, to expand and promote the osteogenic ability of marrow cells in porous hydroxyapatite (HA). Marrow cells were obtained from rat femur and cultured in a standard medium for 10 days, then trypsinized to make composites of HA and the cells. An additional 2-week culture (subculture) was done for the composite in a standard medium with or without the addition of dexamethasone (Dex). The 2-week subcultured composites were implanted into subcutaneous sites of syngeneic rats. These implants were harvested and prepared for the biochemical analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity and bone Gla protein content, as well as histological analysis of decalcified and undecalcified sections. In Dex-treated composites, high alkaline phosphatase activity could be detected 1 week after implantation and was maintained until 8 weeks after implantation. The bone Gla protein content could also be detected 1 week after implantation, followed by a steady increase with the passage of time until 8 weeks after implantation. The histological analysis showed active bone formation even 1 week after implantation. The bone formation was evidenced by active osteoblast lining and the appearance of calcein labeling following calcein injection 1 week after implantation. Thus, Dex-treated subcultured marrow cells in pore regions of HA showed a high osteogenic response immediately after transplantation. In contrast, Dex-untreated composite did not show bone formation and contained traces of these biochemical parameters. These results indicate that the inherent osteogenic ability of marrow stromal stem cells in pore regions of HA can be stimulated using tissue culture technology; and thus, formed osteogenic HA can show immediate osteoblastic activity in in vivo situations, suggesting the applicability of the HA in clinical situations.

Composite biomaterials with good mechanical response and a partially biodegradable character were prepared by the free radical polymerization of mixtures of alpha-Al2O3, low-molecular-weight but crystalline poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Cylindrical specimens prepared with different composition were characterized by thermogravimetry, calorimetry, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The in vitro biodegradative process was studied in different media, following variations of the pH, gravimetric weight loss of the specimens, and crystalline domain change by XRD after immersion in pure water and buffered solutions at pH 4.0 and pH 8.0 for 90 days. Formation of a relatively porous structure with good cohesion after the biodegradative treatment (confirmed by SEM) was observed. These systems can be considered for applications in orthopedic surgery as filling biomaterials and even as control drug-delivery systems.