title: In vitro osteoblastic response to 30 vol% hydroxyapatite-polyethylene composite.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HA-HDPE) composite, as a bone replacement material, has successfully been used clinically as middle ear prostheses and orbital floor implants. The aim of this study was to examine its in vitro biocompatibility in order to develop a further application, that is, as skull reconstruction implants. Human osteoblast cells isolated from femoral heads and crania were used to determine the biological response of the composites. HA-HDPE composites (30 vol %) with two grades of HA filler that had different surface morphologies were selected for this in vitro assessment. The results showed that HA-HDPE composite was bioactive and supported osteoblast attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. The composite with rough-surfaced HA filler demonstrated slightly better cellular response than the composite with smooth-surfaced HA filler. Although osteoblastic cells derived from skull showed an overall slower response compared with those from femoral heads, these in vitro results show that HA-HDPE composite potentially could be used as a skull implant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom. y.zhang@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gurav
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Silvio
mesh_terms: D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012886:Skull / Q000166:cytology; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D020959:Polyethylene; D017886:Durapatite