Degradability and cytocompatibility of tricalcium phosphate/poly(amino acid) composite as bone tissue implants in orthopaedic surgery

Abstract

In this study, a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and poly (amino acid) copolymer (PAA) biocomposite were fabricated for bone repair and characterized. The results show that the compressive strength of the TCP/PAA composites increased with an increase in the TCP content at TCP contents less than 40 w%. The weight loss of the composite after soaking in phosphate buffered saline for 12 weeks significantly increased with an increase in the TCP content, revealing its good degradability. In addition, the composite maintained adequate mechanical strength during the degradation period because it underwent a surface erosion process. In vitro MG63 cell culture experiments showed that the composite is non-cytotoxic and thus allows cells to adhere, proliferate and differentiate. Osteoid formation was evidenced on the composite surfaces 12 weeks after its implantation into the femoral bone of dogs. Furthermore, the composite combined directly with the host bone tissue without fibrous capsule tissue, and no inflammatory responses were found, showing the good biocompatibility of the composite. It is expected that the composite may be used for the development of bone implants for orthopaedic surgery.