Bioactive PMMA bone cement prepared by modification with methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and calcium chloride

Bone cement consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) powder and methylmethacrylate (MMA) liquid is used extensively for fixation of implants such as artificial hip joints with living bone. This type of cement, however, does not show direct bonding to the living body, and hence the fixation is liable to loosen over a long implantation period. Bioactive materials have received much attention because of their capability for bone-bonding, i.e., bioactivity, when implanted in bony defects. Osteoconduction of the bioactive materials is caused by formation of a bone-like apatite layer through a surface reaction between the material and surrounding body fluid. The apatite formation can be induced by a silanol (Sibond;OH) group formed on the materials as well as a dissolution of calcium ion (Ca(2+)) from the material. Incorporation of alkoxysilane and calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) may provide PMMA bone cement with bioactivity, because alkoxysilane gives Sibond;OH after hydrolysis, whereas CaCl(2) releases Ca(2+). In this study, we investigated the potential on bioactivity of the modified PMMA bone cement with alkoxysilane and calcium chloride. PMMA powder was mixed with various amounts of CaCl(2), and MMA liquid with various amounts of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). The mixed paste was immersed in a simulated body fluid (Kokubo solution) that has a similar concentration in inorganic constituents to human blood plasma. After soaking for various periods, apatite formation on the cement was examined. Apatite formation was observed by the addition of CaCl(2) with contents of 16 mass % and more. Incorporation of MPS accelerates the apatite formation. Setting time of the cement was significantly elongated after the addition of MPS, whereas compressive strength significantly decreased with increasing the contents of CaCl(2) and MPS. The hardened cement containing 20 mass % of CaCl(2) in the powder and 20 mass % of MPS in the liquid showed a tendency to be more osteoconductive to living bone after implantation in rabbit tibiae than the unmodified cement. These results indicate that bioactivity of the modified PMMA bone cement increases with increasing amounts of MPS and CaCl(2). Bioactive bone cement is successfully obtained when it contains appropriate concentrations of alkoxysilane and calcium chloride.