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Synthesis, characterization of calcium phosphates/polyurethane composites for weight‐bearing implants
Author(s) -
Yoshii Toshitaka,
Dumas Jerald E.,
Okawa Atsushi,
Spengler Dan M.,
Guelcher Scott A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.31917
Subject(s) - polyurethane , materials science , characterization (materials science) , composite material , bearing (navigation) , calcium , composite number , metallurgy , nanotechnology , computer science , artificial intelligence
Calcium phosphate (CaP)/polymer composites have been studied as an alternative graft material for the treatment of bone defects. In this study, lysine‐triisocyanate‐based polyurethane (PUR) composites were synthesized from both hydroxyapatite (HA) and β‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) to reduce the brittleness of CaP and increase the bioactivity of the polymer. The mechanical properties and in vitro cellular response were investigated for both HA/PUR and TCP/PUR composites. The composites were implanted in femoral defects in rats, and in vivo bioactivity was evaluated by X‐rays, micro‐computed tomography (μCT), and histological sections. In biomechanical testing, PUR improved the mechanical properties of the CaP, thus rendering it potentially suitable for weight‐bearing applications. In vitro cell culture studies showed that CaP/PUR composites are biocompatible, with β‐TCP enhancing the cell viability and proliferation relative to HA. CaP/PUR composites also supported the differentiation of osteoblastic cells on the materials. When implanted in rat femoral defects, the CaP/PUR composites were biocompatible and osteoconductive with no adverse inflammatory response, as evidenced by X‐rays, μCT images, and histological sections. Additionally, a histological examination showed evidence of cellular infiltration and appositional remodeling. These results suggest that CaP/PUR composites could be potentially useful biomaterials for weight‐bearing orthopaedic implants. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.