Dissolution medium responsive simvastatin release from biodegradable apatite cements and the therapeutic effect in osteoporosis rats.

Bio-convertible artificial bone with slow release of anti-osteoporosis drug is useful to treat osteoporosis. Apatite cement containing 6% simvastatin (APD) had lower crystallinity than natural bone. In-vitro drug release tests in simulated body fluid (pH 7.8) and acetate buffer (pH 4.5) were performed at 37.0 C as physical models of osteoblast and osteoclast conditions (SOB and SOC). The device had lower drug release rate under SOB, but significantly higher rates under SOC. The simvastatin release rate changed depending on dissolution media, it repeated twice, and the rate under SOC was 15 times higher than under SOB. The device showed dissolution medium responsive drug release. After implantation of the APD in osteoporosis rats, the bone mineral density was evaluated by the x-ray computed tomography. The result indicated that the bone mineral density of APD implanted rat was significantly higher than that of control diseased. The result indicated that the device was therapeutically useful to bone regeneration.

Effect of geometrical structure on the biodegradation of a three-dimensionally perforated porous apatite/collagen composite bone cell scaffold.

A Biodegradable artificial bone with inter-connective pores was prepared using a self-setting apatite/collagen composite cement as a cell scaffold for bone regenerative medicine, and investigated as to biocompatibility by X-ray computed tomography (CT) after its implantation into rats. Blocks (APN, APC and ACC) of apatite cement, apatite cement with continuous holes, and apatite/collagen composite cement with continuous holes were prepared. The APC and ACC blocks had 16 (8x2) interconnecting holes 500 microm in diameter. After the APN, APC, and ACC blocks were implanted in the back of the rats, X-ray CT images were measured every week. Before and after implantation, powder X-ray diffraction profiles of APN, APC and ACC showed diffraction patterns of hydroxyapatite with low crystallinity. Changes in the volume, inorganic content and density of the blocks in the rats were evaluated based on X-ray CT images. The volume and inorganic content of ACC decreased continuously at a constant rate. In contrast, the volume and inorganic content of APN and APC didn't show major changes. After implantation, the absorption of X-rays by ACC decreased with time. This suggested that the block was bioabsorbed significantly with time. In contrast, the absorption of APC and APN did not decrease, indicating that the blocks were not bioabsorbed.