Metallic ion doped tri-calcium phosphate ceramics: Effect of dynamic loading on in vivo bone regeneration

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dynamic loading on bone regeneration performance of different doped β-tri-calcium phosphate ceramics. We have developed porous beta tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP), 5%zinc doped, 5% magnesium doped and 5% titanium doped β-TCP by aqueous solution combustion technique. All the synthesized β-TCP powders showed pore size of 21-146 μm (pure β-TCP), 16-142 μm (Zn-β-TCP), 28-156 μm (Mg- β-TCP) and 14-173 μm (Ti-β-TCP) while their apparent porosity 17.89%, 28.09%, 26.54% and 25.87% respectively. The pure and doped samples were implanted in femoral bone defect model (rabbit) to assess bone regeneration under dynamic loading. Bone regeneration was assessed after 1 and 2 month post-implantation on the basis of clinical radiological, histological, fluorochrome labelling, micro computed tomography (μ-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Radiological and fluorochrome labelling study showed reduced size of 5%Ti-β-TCPimplant vis-à-vis more new bone formation as compared to other groups. Micro-CT of the implanted bone sample showed a significant amount of newly formed bony tissue surrounding the Ti-β-TCP implant as compared to other samples. Similar findings of less interfacial gap between the implant and bone were also observed in SEM study. However, all the doped materials are suitable as bone grafting material and have potential for application in bone tissue engineering.