Physicochemical degradation of calcium magnesium phosphate (stanfieldite) based bone replacement materials and the effect on their cytocompatibility

Abstract

Regenerative bone implants should be completely replaced by new bone within a period of time corresponding to the growth rate of native bone. To meet this requirement, suitable biomaterials must be biodegradable and promote osteogenesis. The combination of slowly degrading but osteoconductive calcium phosphates (CPs) with rapidly degrading and mechanically more resilient magnesium phosphates represents a promising material class for this purpose. In order to create the best possible conditions for optimal implant integration, microporous calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) cements were processed using 3D powder printing. This technique enables the production of a defect-adapted implant with an optimal fit and a high degree of open porosity to promote bone ingrowth. Four different compositions of 3D printed CMP ceramics were investigated with regard to essential properties of bone implants, including chemical composition, porosity, microstructure, mechanical strength, and cytocompatibility. The ceramics consisted of farringtonite (Mg3(PO4)2) and stanfieldite (Ca4Mg5(PO4)6), with either struvite (NH4MgPO4·6H2O) or newberyite (MgHPO4·3H2O) and brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) as additional phases. The CMP materials showed open porosities between 13 and 28% and compressive strengths between 11 and 17 MPa, which was significantly higher, as compared with clinically established CP. The cytocompatibility was evaluated with the human fetal osteoblast cell line hFOB 1.19 and was proven to be equal or to even exceed that of tricalcium phosphate. Furthermore, a release of 4–8 mg magnesium and phosphate ions per mg scaffold material could be determined for CMPs over a period of 21 d. In the case of struvite containing CMPs the chemical dissolution of the cement matrix was combined with a physical degradation, which resulted in a mass loss of up to 3.1 wt%. In addition to its beneficial physical and biological properties, the proven continuous chemical degradation and bioactivity in the form of CP precipitation indicate an enhanced bone regeneration potential of CMPs.