Bone repair using a new injectable self-crosslinkable bone substitute

Abstract

A new injectable and self-crosslinkable bone substitute (IBS2) was developed for filling bone defects. The IBS2 consisted of a chemically modified polymer solution mixed with biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic particles. The polymer hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose was functionalized with silanol groups (Si-HPMC) and formed a viscous solution (3 wt %) in alkaline medium. With a decrease in pH, self-hardening occurred due to the formation of intermolecular -Si-O- bonds. During setting, BCP particles, 40 to 80 microm in diameter, were added to the polymer solution at a weight ratio of 50/50. The resulting injectable material was bilaterally implanted into critically sized bone defects at the distal femoral epiphyses of nine New Zealand White rabbits. The IBS2 filled the bone defects entirely and remained in place. After 8 weeks, bone had grown centripetally and progressed towards the center of the defects. Newly formed bone, ceramic, and nonmineralized tissue ratios were 24.6% +/- 5.6%, 21.6% +/- 5.8%, and 53.7% +/- 0.1%, respectively. Mineralized and mature bone was observed between and in contact with the BCP particles. The bone/ceramic apposition was 73.4% +/- 10.6%. The yield strength for the IBS2-filled defects was 16.4 +/- 7.2 MPa, significantly higher than for the host trabecular bone tissue (2.7 +/- 0.4 MPa). This study showed that BCP particles supported the bone healing process by osteoconduction while the Si-HPMC hydrogel created intergranular space for bone ingrowth. This new injectable and self-crosslinkable bone substitute could be used conveniently in orthopedic surgery for filling critical-size bone defects.