Eggshell derived brushite bone cement with minimal inflammatory response and higher osteoconductive potential.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Brushite cements offer good osteoconductivity and degradation but suffer from rapid setting and poor mechanical strength.
• Incorporating biologically relevant ions from sources like eggshells can enhance calcium phosphate properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and evaluate eggshell-derived brushite cement (EB) as a potential bone substitute.
• To investigate the effects of eggshell-derived components on the setting time, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and in vivo bone regeneration of brushite cement.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of EB using beta-tricalcium phosphate synthesized from eggshells.
• Assessment of setting time, crystal size, compressive strength, and in vitro degradation.
• In vitro biocompatibility testing with L6 and MG63 cell lines.
• In vivo evaluation in a rat calvarial defect model using micro CT and histological analysis.

Main Results:

• EB exhibited a prolonged setting time compared to pure brushite cement (PB).
• EB showed smaller crystal sizes, increased initial compressive strength, and a higher in vitro degradation rate.
• Both cements were biocompatible in vitro; in vivo studies demonstrated faster degradation and accelerated bone formation with EB.
• EB resulted in significantly reduced inflammation and complete bone bridge formation by week 12 compared to PB.

Conclusions:

• Multi-ion substituted EB demonstrates a promising potential as a bone substitute material.
• EB offers advantages including a manageable setting time, improved mechanical strength, reduced inflammatory response, and enhanced bone regeneration capacity.