Histopathological and cell enzyme studies of calcium phosphate cements

New types of self-setting calcium phosphate cement (N-CPC), which do not contain tetracalcium phosphate, were recently developed. N-CPCs harden in 10 minutes with phosphate solution as the cement liquid, and form hydroxyapatite as the set product. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the biocompatibility (Study I) and cell enzyme activity of N-CPCs and a conventional CPC (Study II). Four experimental cements were tested: (1) dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) and calcium oxide; (2) DCPA and calcium hydroxide; (3) tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate; and (4) DCPA and tetracalcium phosphate. Phosphate solution was used as the cement liquid for cements (1)-(3), and water for cement (4). Sintered hydroxyapatite particles (5) were used as a control. The test materials were implanted subcutaneously in rats. Four weeks after operation, the animals were sacrificed and histopathological observations were performed. Cements (2) and (3) showed no inflammatory reaction, and were surrounded only by very thin fibrous connective tissues. The histopathological reactions of N-CPCs were nearly identical and were similar to (4) and (5). In addition, effects of alkaline phosphatase (ALP-ase) activity--invoked by the presence of cements (3) and (4)--on osteoblast-like cells derived from dog alveolar bone were also examined because ALP-ase activity is closely related to new bone formation. These results indicated that (3) and (4) were highly compatible with subcutaneous tissues and suggested that these cements may enhance new bone formation.