New porous beta-tricalcium phosphate as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2008.23.011

Abstract：BACKGROUND: New porous β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) was made by appropriate prescription and unique technology, with a porosity of (75±10)%, spheroidal hole>80%, micropore<20%, interlink rate between the holes of 100% and mechanical strength>2MPa.OBJECTIVE: To assess the application outcome of the new porous β-TCP as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The control experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Tissue Engineering of Southern Medical University, China from July 2005 to March 2006.MATERIALS: Twelve 6-month New Zealand rabbits were used to create 1.5cm large bone and periosteum defects of the left radial bone. Porous β-TCP was purchased from bio-lu, France.METHODS: Osteoblasts differentiated from rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were co-cultured with porous β-TCP. Inverted phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to observe the growth of BMSCs. MTT assay was employed to assess cell proliferation and compatibility. Cytotoxicity was detected by analyzing the effects of different concentrations of porous β-TCP leaching liquor on cell proliferation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell compatibility and cytotoxicity of β-TCP were measured. The status of bone defect repair was appraised by histology, radionuclide bone scan and X-ray at 2, 6, 12 weeks after surgery.RESULTS: The new porous β-TCP had good cell adhesion and its cytotoxicity was in 0 grade. Histology, imageology and radionuclide bone scan showed the new porous β-TCP could repair large radial bone defect in rabbits. At the same time, its degradation rate was accordance with bone formation rate in vivo.CONCLUSION: The new porous β-TCP with a good compatibility is a good scaffold for bone tissue engineering, and obtains good outcomes in repairing large bone defect of rabbit radial bone.