In vitro and in vivo evaluations of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66/glass fibre (n-HA/PA66/GF) as a novel bioactive bone screw

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 8;8(7):e68342. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068342. Print 2013.

Abstract

In this study, we prepared nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66/glass fibre (n-HA/PA66/GF) bioactive bone screws. The microstructure, morphology and coating of the screws were characterised, and the adhesion, proliferation and viability of MC3T3-E1 cells on n-HA/PA66/GF scaffolds were determined using scanning electron microscope, CCK-8 assays and cellular immunofluorescence analysis. The results confirmed that n-HA/PA66/GF scaffolds were biocompatible and had no negative effect on MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro. To investigate the in vivo biocompatibility, internal fixation properties and osteogenesis of the bioactive screws, both n-HA/PA66/GF screws and metallic screws were used to repair intercondylar femur fractures in dogs. General photography, CT examination, micro-CT examination, histological staining and biomechanical assays were performed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after operation. The n-HA/PA66/GF screws exhibited good biocompatibility, high mechanical strength and extensive osteogenesis in the host bone. Moreover, 24 weeks after implantation, the maximum push-out load of the bioactive screws was greater than that of the metallic screws. As shown by their good cytocompatibility, excellent biomechanical strength and fast formation and ingrowth of new bone, n-HA/PA66/GF screws are thus suitable for orthopaedic clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / drug effects
  • Bone Screws*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dogs
  • Durapatite / pharmacology*
  • Femur / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Femur / pathology
  • Glass / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Ions / blood
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Nylons / pharmacology*
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / ultrastructure
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Ions
  • Nylons
  • fiberglass
  • Durapatite

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Tackling Project of the Chongqing Committee of Science and Technology (No. CSTC2009AB5080). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.