Enhanced bone bonding of the hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite by electrical polarization in rabbit...

A review of the osteogenic cell activity and new bone growth in the regions bordering negatively charged surfaces of polarized Hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) composites implanted in the long bone in rabbits was conducted. Polarized and non-polarized HA/TCP specimens were implanted into the right and left femoral condyle, respectively (each n = 10). After 3 and 6 weeks, five rabbits were sacrificed in each group, and histological analysis was administered. Large cuboidal-shaped osteoblastic cells were predominantly observed lining the newly formed bone on the negatively charged surface (N-surface) in the polarized HA/TCP implants. The TRAP-positive multinucleated cells were observed extensively in the newly formed bone on the N-surfaces compared with the 0-surface and adhered directly to the HA/TCP composite. The bone area (B.Ar) value, newly formed bone area contacting the implant, and contact length (C.Le) value, percentage length of newly formed bone directly attaching to the implant, on both the 0- and N-surface increased significantly with time in each group. Both the B.Ar and C.Le value on the N-surface were significantly greater than those on the 0-surface after 3 and 6 weeks. The number of TRAP-positive cells/total length value on the N-surface was significantly greater than that on the 0-surface after 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. It is hypothesized that electrical charge acquired by electrical polarization treatment may modify the biochemical and biophysical processes of the osteogenic cells, resulting in enhanced new bone formation and direct bonding between the recipient bone and implants.