Elution characteristics and mechanical properties of calcium sulfate-loaded bone cement containing teicoplanin.
BACKGROUND
Acrylic bone cement is the most widely used drug delivery system clinically. It has already been shown that antibiotic release is significantly increased when calcium sulfate-loaded acrylic bone cement is used. However, there is no information yet about the mechanical responses of these composite materials. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of calcium sulfate on the elution characteristics and mechanical behavior of teicoplanin-loaded acrylic bone cement.


METHODS
Four groups of acrylic bone cements (GI, GII, GIII, GIV) were prepared using the same liquid/powder ratios. After mixing, the bone cement and additive mixtures were packed into different-type molds to prepare the specimens for the elution and mechanical tests. All of the specimens were tested for two conditions (dry and human plasma solution). The mechanical tests included the setting time (hardness) and tensile, bending, and compression strengths. The fracture surfaces of the failed samples were also examined by scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Teicoplanin release in the calcium sulfate powder added groups (GIII and GIV) was higher than that of GII. When the calcium sulfate and teicoplanin were added on acrylic bone cement, the compressive, bending and tensile strength, hardness values, and elastic modulus decreased. Also, further reductions were evident in human plasma solution.


CONCLUSIONS
Although mechanical properties of tested specimens decreased, all of the results obtained were higher than those required by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards, but further investigations are necessary before making definitive statements for clinical applications.
Tuzuner
Tolga
T
Department of Orthopedics, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce Medical School, Konuralp 81620, Duzce, Turkey.
Uygur
Ilyas
I
Sencan
Irfan
I
Haklar
Ugur
U
Oktas
Birhan
B
Ozdemir
Davut
D
D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016062:Porosity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013718:Tensile Strength
D001843:Bone Cements; D017334:Teicoplanin; D002133:Calcium Sulfate