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Covalently‐linked hyaluronan promotes bone formation around Ti implants in a rabbit model
Author(s) -
Morra Marco,
Cassinelli Clara,
Cascardo Giovanna,
Fini Milena,
Giavaresi Gianluca,
Giardino Roberto
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.20797
Subject(s) - osseointegration , implant , materials science , biomedical engineering , surface modification , in vivo , titanium , dentistry , chemistry , medicine , surgery , biology , metallurgy , microbiology and biotechnology
The goal of this study was the in vivo evaluation of nanoporous titanium (Ti) implants bearing a covalently linked surface hyaluronan (HA) layer. Implant surface topography and surface chemistry were previously evaluated by scanning electron micorscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that the surface modification process did not affect surface topography, yielding a homogeneously HA‐coated nanotextured implant surface. In vivo evaluation of implants in both cortical and trabecular bone of rabbit femurs showed a significant improvement of both bone‐to‐implant contact and bone ingrowth at HA‐bearing implant interfaces at 4 weeks. The improvement in osteointegration rate was particularly evident in the marrow‐rich trabecular bone (bone‐to‐implant contact: control 22.5%; HA‐coated 69.0%, p < 0.01). Mechanical testing (push‐out test) and evaluation of interfacial bone microhardness confirmed a faster bone maturation around HA‐coated implants (Bone Maturation Index: control 79.1%; HA‐coated 90.6%, p < 0.05). Suggestions based on the biochemical role of HA are presented to account for the observed behavior. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 657–663, 2009