The effect of alkaline phosphatase coated onto titanium alloys on bone responses in rats

Biomaterials. 2009 Nov;30(32):6407-17. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.08.001. Epub 2009 Aug 31.

Abstract

The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was recently proposed as an implant coating material in order to improve the biological performance of orthopedic and dental implants. The present study evaluated the in vivo bone response to electrosprayed coatings, consisting of ALP, calcium phosphate (CaP) or a combination thereof (composite coating: ALP+CaP) compared to non-coated controls (gritblasted and acid etched). A total of 80 implants (n=10) with a gap of 1.0mm, was implanted intramedullary and bilaterally into the femurs of 80 rats. After 1 and 4 weeks, bone response was evaluated qualitatively (histology) and quantitatively (histomorphometry). The results of this study show that all electrosprayed coatings (ALP, CaP, ALP+CaP) significantly improve osteoconduction compared to non-coated controls after 4 weeks of implantation, without significant differences among these coated groups. Consequently, the results indicate that ALP-coatings improve the osteogenic response to a comparable extent as CaP-coatings or an ALP+CaP composite coating. In conclusion, the current study proofs that ALP-coatings have potential as bone implant coatings, though long-term data remain to be obtained. From a clinical perspective, it was observed that the process of osteoconduction is related to positional determinants, which needs to be taken into account when analyzing data on bone response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / chemistry*
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / pharmacology*
  • Alloys / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / pharmacology*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Femur / pathology*
  • Femur / surgery*
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Prostheses and Implants*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Titanium
  • Alkaline Phosphatase