Biological property of a novel bone cement composited by quaternary ammonium salt chitosan nanoparticles

He Qiang; Ma Jian-bing; Sun Xiang-xiang; Zhao Guang-hui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.47.003

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Postoperative infection in patients underlying total knee arthroplasty is a long-standing puzzle. Current bone cement with antibiotics cannot effectively treat kidney function deficiency and bacterial resistance. OBJECTIVE:To develop a novel kind of bone cement prepared by quaternary ammonium salt chitosan nanoparticles. METHODS:There were three groups including QCSNP-15, Palacos R and Palacos R+G groups. Morphology of the bone cement in each group was observed using scanning electron microscope, the setting time of bone cement was measured, and the in vitro compression strength, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity tests were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Scanning electron microscope observed that QCSNP-15 was made of quaternary ammonium salt chitosan nanoparticles and methyl methacrylate copolymer, and these nanoparticles distributed onto the material surface. The setting time of QCSNP-15 was longer than that of the Palacos R+G bone cement. The compressive strength of QCSNP-15 was significantly lower than that of the Palacos R bone cement (P<0.05), but was larger than 70 MPa stipulated by ISO 5833. Osteoblasts MC3T3-E1adhered wel on the QCSNP-15, and pseudopodia ful y expanded. Similar findings were observed on the Palacos R+G bone cement. The attachment rate of osteoblasts of the QCSNP-15 at 3 hours was significantly lower than that of the Palacos R+G bone cement (P<0.05). The antibacterial activity did not significantly differ between QCSNP-15 and Palacos R+G bone cements, even after 2-week immersion in the PBS. These findings suggest that QCSNP-15 exhibits appropriate setting time, good biomechanical property and antibacterial activity in vitro with no obvious cytotoxicity.