Preparation and characterization of gelatin-hydroxyapatite composite microspheres for hard tissue repair.
Gelatin-hydroxyapatite composite microspheres composed of 21% gelatin (G) and 79% hydroxyapatite (HA) with uniform morphology and controllable size were synthesized from a mixed solution of Ca(NO3)2, NH4H2PO4 and gelatin by a wet-chemical method. Material analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning/transmission electron microscopy examination (SEM/TEM) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) were used to characterize G-HA microspheres by analyzing their crystalline phase, microstructure, morphology and composition. HA crystals precipitate along G fibers to form nano-rods with diameters of 6-10nm and tangle into porous microspheres after blending. The cell culture indicates that G-HA composite microspheres without any toxicity could enhance the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells. In a rat calvarial defect model, G-HA bioactive scaffolds were compared with fibrin glue (F) and Osteoset® Bone Graft Substitute (OS) for their capacity of regenerating bone. Four weeks post-implantation, new bone, mineralization, and expanded blood vessel area were found in G-HA scaffolds, indicating greater osteoconductivity and bioactivity than F and OS.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Department of Minimally Invasive Skull Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard, Sect. 4, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Neurosurgery, ChangHua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 80 Chung Cheng Road, Sect. 2 Chiu Kuan Village, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
Shao Ching
SC
Chao
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
Ming-Jia
MJ
Wang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
Nai-Su
NS
Pai
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan. Electronic address: skyen@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.
Shiow-Kang
SK
Yen
D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008422:Materials Testing; D008863:Microspheres; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D005780:Gelatin; D017886:Durapatite
Bioactivity; Biocompatibility; Cell culture; Gelatin; Hydroxyapatite; Osteoconductivity