The integration of chitosan-coated titanium in bone: an in vivo study in rabbits.
METHODS
Much research is directed at surface modifications to enhance osseointegration of implants. A new potential coating is the biopolymer, chitosan, the deacetylated derivative of the natural polysaccharide, chitin. Chitosan is biocompatible, degradable, nontoxic, and exhibits osteogenic properties. The aim of this research was to investigate the hypothesis that chitosan-coated titanium supports bone formation and osseointegration.


METHODS
Chitosan (1 wt% of 92.3% deacetylated chitosan in 1% acetic acid) was solution cast and bonded to rough ground titanium pins (2-mm diameterx4-mm long) via silane reactions. Calcium phosphate sputter-coated titanium and uncoated titanium pins were used as controls. Two chitosan-coated pins, and 1 each of calcium phosphate coated and uncoated pins were implanted unilaterally in the tibia of 16 adult male New Zealand white rabbits. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, undecalcified sections were histologically evaluated for healing and bone formation.


RESULTS
Histological evaluations of tissues in contact with the chitosan-coated pins indicated minimal inflammatory response and a typical healing sequence of fibrous, woven bone formation, followed by development of lamellar bone. These observations were similar to those for tissues interfacing the control calcium phosphate-coated and uncoated titanium implants. Quantitative comparisons of the bone-implant interface were not possible since 31% of the implants migrated into the tibial marrow space after implantation due to insufficient cortical bone thickness to hold pins in place during healing.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the hypothesis that chitosan-coatings are able to develop a close bony apposition or the osseointegration of dental/craniofacial and orthopedic implants.
Bumgardner
Joel D
JD
Joint Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. jbmgrdnr@memphis.edu
Chesnutt
Betsy M
BM
Yuan
Youling
Y
Yang
Yunzhi
Y
Appleford
Mark
M
Oh
Sunho
S
McLaughlin
Ronald
R
Elder
Steven H
SH
Ong
Joo L
JL
D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia; D014025:Titanium
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D048271:Chitosan; D014025:Titanium