A multi-material coating containing chemically-modified apatites for combined enhanced bioactivity and reduced infection via a drop-on-demand micro-dispensing technique

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2017 Jan;28(1):3. doi: 10.1007/s10856-016-5812-4. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Abstract

Prevention of infection and enhanced osseointegration are closely related, and required for a successful orthopaedic implant, which necessitate implant designs to consider both criteria in tandem. A multi-material coating containing 1:1 ratio of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and silver-substituted hydroxyapatite as the top functional layer, and hydroxyapatite as the base layer, was produced via the drop-on-demand micro-dispensing technique, as a strategic approach in the fight against infection along with the promotion of bone tissue regeneration. The homogeneous distribution of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and silver-substituted hydroxyapatite micro-droplets at alternate position in silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite-silver-substituted hydroxyapatite/hydroxyapatite coating delayed the exponential growth of Staphylococcus aureus for up to 24 h, and gave rise to up-regulated expression of alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen and osteocalcin as compared to hydroxyapatite and silver-substituted hydroxyapatite coatings. Despite containing reduced amounts of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and silver-substituted hydroxyapatite micro-droplets over the coated area than silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and silver-substituted hydroxyapatite coatings, silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite-silver-substituted hydroxyapatite/hydroxyapatite coating exhibited effective antibacterial property with enhanced bioactivity. By exhibiting good controllability of distributing silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite, silver-substituted hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite micro-droplets, it was demonstrated that drop-on-demand micro-dispensing technique was capable in harnessing the advantages of silver-substituted hydroxyapatite, silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite to produce a multi-material coating along with enhanced bioactivity and reduced infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Apatites / chemistry*
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / pharmacology*
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyapatites / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Osseointegration / drug effects
  • Osteocalcin / chemistry
  • Powders
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Apatites
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Hydroxyapatites
  • Powders
  • Osteocalcin
  • Silver
  • Collagen
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Silicon