Calcium phosphate bone cement/mesoporous bioactive glass composites for controlled growth factor delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Calcium phosphate (CaP) bone cements are vital for bone defect treatment but lack porosity for rapid bone ingrowth.
• Existing CaP cements have limitations in serving as effective delivery platforms for therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a composite of CaP bone cement and mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) granules as a carrier for bioactive proteins.
• To assess the impact of MBG addition on the composite's porosity, mechanical properties, and protein release profiles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a CaP bone cement/MBG composite with varying MBG content (up to 10 wt%).
• Evaluation of mechanical properties and porosity changes over 3 weeks of aqueous aging.
• Loading and in vitro release studies of lysozyme and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Main Results:

• CaP cement/MBG composites maintained mechanical integrity with up to 10 wt% MBG.
• MBG addition significantly increased composite porosity within 3 weeks.
• Controlled release of lysozyme and VEGF was achieved via MBG carriers, preserving protein bioactivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed CaP bone cement/MBG composite offers enhanced porosity for improved bone integration.
• MBG granules serve as effective carriers for controlled protein delivery from CaP bone cements.
• This composite shows promise as a drug delivery platform for growth factors and other bioactive substances in bone defect treatment.