Thin Hydroxyapatite Coating on Porous Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) Enhances Osteoblast Function Activity

Abstract

We evaluated the properties of porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) coated with a thin layer of hydroxyapatite (HA) using a molecular precursor method. Samples of HA-coated beta-TCP (HATCP) and non-coated β-TCP (TCP) were used for osteoblast culture. The proliferation and function of osteoblasts cultured in the samples were evaluated. Osteoblast proliferation and mineralization activity and secretion of osteoclast activating factors in the samples were observed. The thin HA coating on porous β-TCP was not affected to the three dimensional structures. The calcium concentration with osteoblast was significantly higher in the HATCP group, suggesting the thin HA coating enhanced mineralization activity of osteoblast. Osteoblast proliferation activity was similar in the TCP and HATCP groups. Then, osteoclast activating factors seen in HATCP were more than those in TCP. These results suggest that a thin HA coating on porous β-TCP enhanced osteoblast function activity without reducing proliferation activity.