Apatite Formation on α-Tricalcium Phosphate/Poly(D,L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, a biocomposite comprising nanostructured α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) in a poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix was fabricated by a modified solution evaporation method. As a potential temporary bone fixation and substitution material, its bioactivity was evaluated by its ability to form bone-like apatite layer in simulated body fluid (SBF). Owing to the increased surface area covered by the osteoconductive bioceramic of α-TCP, rapid apatite formation was observed. After 7 days of immersion, enhanced nucleation of apatite was observed on the nanocomposite. At day 14, dense lamellar-like apatite was formed on the nanocomposite whilst apatite nucleation had only just started to develop on the surface of pure PLGA. At the same time, a preliminary in-vitro cell culture study was conducted using human osteoblast-like (HOB) cells. A significant increase in cell number with culturing time was observed for the nanocomposite. After 9 days incubation, a confluent lamellar-like apatite layer was formed on the composite surface. This apatite layer was also shown beneath the proliferating HOB cells at Day 16.