title: Biocompatibility and osteogenic properties of porous tantalum.
abstract: Porous tantalum has been reported to be a promising material for use in bone tissue engineering. In the present study, the biocompatibility and osteogenic properties of porous tantalum were studiedin vitroandin vivo. The morphology of porous tantalum was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Osteoblasts were cultured with porous tantalum, and cell morphology, adhesion and proliferation were investigated using optical microscopy and SEM. In addition, porous tantalum rods were implanted in rabbits, and osteogenesis was observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy and hard tissue slice examination. The osteoblasts were observed to proliferate over time and adhere to the tantalum surface and pore walls, exhibiting a variety of shapes and intercellular connections. The porous tantalum rod connected tightly with the host bone. At weeks 2 and 4 following implantation, new bone and small blood vessels were observed at the tantalum-host bone interface and pores. At week 10 after the porous tantalum implantation, new bone tissue was observed at the tantalum-host bone interface and pores. By week 12, the tantalum-host bone interface and pores were covered with new bone tissue and the bone trabeculae had matured and connected directly with the materials. Therefore, the results of the present study indicate that porous tantalum is non-toxic, biocompatible and a promising material for use in bone tissue engineering applications.
authors: Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China ; Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Wang
authors: Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China ; Department of Joint Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Experimental Center, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Qijia
authors: Q
authors: Li
authors: Chongqing Runze Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Chongqing 401120, P.R. China.
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Ye
authors: Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Hongquan
authors: H
authors: Gan
authors: Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Yingjie
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China ; Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China ; Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China.
authors: Zhiqiang
authors: Z
authors: Wang
keywords: biocompatibility; bone tissue engineering; cell toxicity; osteogenesis; porous tantalum