ABSTRACT
Some of the beneficial biocompatible properties of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]; the major component and an essential ingredient of normal bone and teeth, are that it is rapidly integrated into the human body and will bond to bone forming indistinguishable unions. But, before new materials are approved for medical use, mutagenesis systems to exclude cytotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic properties are applied worldwide. This study aimed to detect any chromosomal aberrations induced by the synthetic hydroxyapatite granules [Manufactured by Universiti Sains Malaysia, (USM) Penang, Malaysia] in the bone marrow cells of mice. The mitotic indices of the groups treated with synthetic hydroxyapatite granules did not show any significant difference as compared to the negative control group treated with distilled water. Also the groups of mice treated with synthetic hydroxyapatite granules and distilled water did not induce significant change in chromosome aberrations as compared to the positive control group treated with Mitomycin C. The mitotic indices and chromosomal analyses indicate that under the present test conditions, synthetic hydroxyapatite granules (manufactured by USM) are non cytotoxic and do not induce chromosome aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice.