Abstract
A novel fluorapatite/glucan composite (“FAP/glucan”) was developed for the treatment of bone defects. Due to the presence of polysaccharide polymer (β-1,3-glucan), the composite is highly flexible and thus very convenient for surgery. Its physicochemical and microstructural properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mercury intrusion, mechanical testing and compared with the reference material, which was a hydroxyapatite/glucan composite (“HAP/glucan”) with hydroxyapatite granules (HAP) instead of FAP. It was found that FAP/glucan has a higher density and lower porosity than the reference material. The correlation between the Young’s modulus and the compressive strength between the materials is different in a dry and wet state. Bioactivity assessment showed a lower ability to form apatite and lower uptake of apatite-forming ions from the simulated body fluid by FAP/glucan material in comparison to the reference material. Moreover, FAP/glucan was determined to be of optimal fluoride release capacity for osteoblasts growth requirements. The results of cell culture experiments showed that fluoride-containing biomaterial was non-toxic, enhanced the synthesis of osteocalcin and stimulated the adhesion of osteogenic cells.
Highlights
Limitations related to native or exogenous bone transplants acquirement and accompanying complications increase the importance of bone substitutes, i.e., bone-substituting biomaterials, in orthopaedic procedures
It was clearly shown that both composites contain irregular in shape ceramic granules embedded in polymeric network of curdlan
Our research presented the properties of the fluorapatite/glucan composite material with particular emphasis on biological potential in terms of application in orthopedics and bone tissue engineering
Summary
Limitations related to native or exogenous bone transplants acquirement and accompanying complications (e.g., graft necrosis as a consequence of lack of blood supply, formation of a defect in a new site, adverse immune reactions resulting in incomplete healing of grafts, the possibility of transmitting an infectious agent) increase the importance of bone substitutes, i.e., bone-substituting biomaterials, in orthopaedic procedures. Bioceramics based on calcium phosphate (CaP) are widely used in the field of bone regeneration, both in orthopaedics and dentistry, due to their good biocompatibility, bioactivity, osseointegration and osteoconduction [1]. Bone substitutes such as hydroxyapatite (HAP), tricalcium phosphates (α- and β-TCP) or bioactive glasses (BG) are an alternative to auto- or allogeneic bone grafts [2,3]. The use of different types of natural fiber biocomposite scaffolds for fractured bone repair were reviewed by Jouyandeh et al, 2021 [14]
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