Hyaluronan-Containing Injectable Magnesium-Calcium Phosphate Cements Demonstrated Improved Performance,...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Calcium-magnesium phosphate cements (MCPCs) are effective biomaterials for bone defect filling due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, injectability, and self-setting properties.
• Magnesium ions (Mg2+) play a crucial role in the functional properties of these cements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize two types of MCPC powders with varying magnesium oxide (MgO) content (20% and 60%).
• To investigate the effects of Mg2+ on the physicochemical and biological properties of MCPCs for bone defect reconstruction.
• To evaluate the cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation potential of the developed cements.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of MCPC powders based on magnesium whitlockite or stanfieldite phases.
• Analysis of functional properties: setting time, temperature, mechanical strength, injectability, cohesion, and in vitro degradation kinetics.
• In vitro assessment of cytocompatibility using MG-63 cell line and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (BM hMSCs).

Main Results:

• Introduction of sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) into the cement liquid enhanced injectability to 83% and provided compressive strength up to 22 MPa.
• The developed cements exhibited a setting time of approximately 20 minutes without an exothermic reaction.
• Cements supported MG-63 cell adhesion, proliferation, and spread, and promoted osteogenic differentiation of BM hMSCs by stimulating key gene expression (ALPL, SP7, RUNX2) and ALPL protein production.

Conclusions:

• The developed calcium-magnesium phosphate cements possess favorable physicochemical properties, including good injectability and mechanical strength.
• These cements demonstrate excellent cytocompatibility and promote osteogenic differentiation, indicating their potential for bone regeneration.
• The combination of properties makes these MCPCs promising bioactive and cytocompatible biomaterials for bone defect reconstruction.