ABSTRACT
We examined the biocompatibility and the safety of a-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites for bone reconstruction application. The biocompatibility of the CSH/MWCNT composites was evaluated by the measures which taking L929 fibroblast cells cultured in the extracted liquid of the composite soaking solution and putting bone marrow stromal cells planted on the composite pellets in vitro, respectively. The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT test and further observed using an inverted optical microscope and a scanning electric microscope. The toxicity of the composites was evaluated by acute and subacute systemic toxicity test. Long-term muscle and bone implantation in vivo tests were also conducted. L929 fibroblast cells grew well in the extracted liquid, as well as bone marrow stromal cells that could adhere on the surface of sample pellets and proliferated rapidly. MTT test showed that there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). In vivo test manifested that the composites were no toxicity, no irritation to skin and good for bone defect reconstruction. It was proved that a-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites exhibited excellent biocompatibility for the potential application in bone tissue engineering.