[Bone inductive activity of bone morphogenetic protein combined to beta-tricalcium phosphate]

For the development of a new delivery system for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), BMP was bound to beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). Powder beta-TCP was synthesized from calcium hydrogenphosphate and calcium carbonate by the dry process method to make the best use of the advantages of the BMP, which show good bone inductive activity on the surface and enhancement of new tissue by reducing the area that the implant material occupies. The beta-TCP + BMP complex and beta-TCP for the controls only were implanted in the muscle pouches of mice. Three weeks later new bone formation was observed on the exterior surface of beta-TCP + BMP complex but not of beta-TCP controls. The bone inductive activity of the beta-TCP + BMP complex is better than the BMP alone. The histological relation between the original tissue and the newly induced bone formation was normal and that of new bone and beta-TCP was also good. Consequently, the beta-TCP + BMP complex has good histocompatibility when implanted.