Injectable macroporous naturally-derived apatite bone cement as a potential trabecular bone substitute.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Bone defects pose significant clinical challenges, necessitating advanced bone graft substitutes.
• Current synthetic bone cements have limitations in biocompatibility and integration.
• Natural sources offer sustainable and potentially superior alternatives for bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate a novel apatite bone cement using natural sources (eggshell and fishbone).
• To evaluate the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of the developed bone cement.
• To assess its potential as a trabecular bone substitute in orthopedic applications.

Main Methods:

• Hydroxyapatite from fishbone and tricalcium phosphate from eggshell were synthesized and mixed.
• A liquid phase containing biopolymers (gelatin, chitosan) and polysorbate was used for cement preparation.
• Characterization included X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM, micro-CT, compressive strength testing, and in vitro cell studies (MG63 cells).

Main Results:

• The fishbone and eggshell-derived apatite bone cement (FBDEAp) exhibited clinically acceptable setting time and injectability.
• FBDEAp demonstrated good compressive strength (5-7 MPa), resorbability (28% in 12 weeks), and interconnected macroporosity (50-400 μm).
• Significantly enhanced MG63 cell viability (>125%), adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic gene expression (5-13 folds) were observed compared to synthetic controls.

Conclusions:

• The FBDEAp bone cement, derived from natural eggshell and fishbone, possesses favorable physicochemical and mechanical properties.
• FBDEAp exhibits excellent biocompatibility and osteoinductive potential, promoting cell growth and differentiation.
• This naturally derived apatite bone cement is a promising candidate for trabecular bone defect repair in orthopedics.