title: Degradable biocomposite of nano calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite-multi(amino acid) copolymer.
abstract: METHODS
  A nano calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (n-CDHA)-multi(amino acid) copolymer (MAC) composite bone substitute biomaterial was prepared using an in situ polymerization method. The composition, structure, and compressive strength of the composite was characterized, and the in vitro degradability in phosphate-buffered solution and preliminary cell responses to the composite were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The composite comprised n-CDHA and an amide linkage copolymer. The compressive strength of the composite was in the range of 88-129 MPa, varying with the amount of n-CDHA in the MAC (ranging from 10 wt% to 50 wt%). Weight loss from the composite increased (from 32.2 wt% to 44.3 wt%) with increasing n-CDHA content (from 10 wt% to 40 wt%) in the MAC after the composite was soaked in phosphate-buffered solution for 12 weeks. The pH of the soaking medium varied from 6.9 to 7.5. MG-63 cells with an osteogenic phenotype were well adhered and spread on the composite surface. Viability and differentiation increased with time, indicating that the composite had no negative effects on MG-63 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The n-CDHA-MAC composite had good cytocompatibility and has potential to be used as a bone substitute.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Aiping
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiangde
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D017886:Durapatite; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase