The in vitro bioactivity of two novel hydrophilic, partially degradable bone cements

• Published in: Acta biomaterialia Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 175 - 182
• Main Authors: Boesel, Luciano F., Cachinho, Sandra C.P., Fernandes, Maria H.V., Reis, Rui L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2007
• Subjects: Acellular bioactivity; Acrylic cements; Apatites - chemistry; Bioactive glasses; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone Cements - chemistry; Degradable polymer; Glass - chemistry; Hydrophilic; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polymers - chemistry; Polymethyl Methacrylate - chemistry; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Surface Properties; Time Factors; Hydrophilic; Degradable polymer; Acrylic cements; Bioactive glasses; Acellular bioactivity
• ISSN: 1742-7061; 1878-7568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2006.09.010

Composite bone cements were prepared with bioactive glasses (MgO–SiO 2–3CaO · P 2O 5) of different reactivities. The matrix of these so-called hydrophilic, partially degradable and bioactive cements was composed of a starch/cellulose acetate blend and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The addition of 30 wt.% of glasses to this system made them bioactive in acellular medium: a dense apatite layer formed on the surface after 7 days of immersion in simulated body fluid. This was demonstrated both by microscopic and infrared spectroscopic techniques. The composition of the glass and, consequently, its structure was found to have important effects on the rate of the apatite formation. The combination of reactivity obtained by one formulation with the hydrophilic and degradable character of these cements makes them a very promising alternative to conventional acrylic bone cements, by allowing a better stabilization of the implant and a stronger adhesion to the bone.