Quantitative comparison of bone growth behavior in granules of Bioglass, A-W glass-ceramic, and hydroxyapatite.

The hypothesis that bioactive glass particulate increases the rate of bone proliferation over that of synthetic hydroxyapatite and bioactive glass-ceramic was tested in these experiments. Three types of bioactive particles-45S5 Bioglass(R), synthetic hydroxyapatite, and A-W glass-ceramic-were implanted in 6-mm-diameter holes drilled in the femoral condyles of mature rabbits. Bone growth rate was measured using an image processor. 45S5 Bioglass(R) produced bone more rapidly than either A-W glass-ceramic or hydroxyapatite. At the later time periods, 45S5 Bioglass(R) was resorbed more quickly than A-W glass-ceramic. Synthetic hydroxyapatite was not resorbed at all. Backscattered electron imaging suggested that the resorption process occurred by solution-mediated dissolution, which produced chemical changes in the enclosed particulate. It was concluded that the rate of bone growth correlates with the rate of dissolution of silica as the particles resorb.

Comparative bone growth behavior in granules of bioceramic materials of various sizes.

Various bioceramic materials were implanted into 6-mm-diameter holes made in the femoral condyles of mature Japanese white rabbits using different-sized granules to find an optimal material and granule diameter for use as a bone graft. Bioceramics include a bioinert ceramic (Alumina), surface-bioactive ceramics [hydroxyapatite (HAp) and Bioglass(R)], and resorbable bioactive ceramics [alphatricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP), beta-TCP, tetracalcium phosphate (TeCP), Te. DCPD, Te. DCPA, and low-crystalline HAp]. Granule sizes were 100-300, 10, and 1-3 microm. Bone growth behavior varied with the kind of bioceramic and the size used. For surface-bioactive ceramics, 45S5 Bioglass(R) led to more rapid bone proliferation than synthetic HAp. In resorbable bioactive ceramics, the order of resorption was: low-crystalline HAp and OCP > TeCP, Te DCPD, Te DCPA > alpha-TCP, beta-TCP. In terms of biocompatibility, alpha-TCP was better than beta-TCP.

[Influence of tannic acid on physical and chemical properties of alpha-tricalcium phosphate-citric acid-tannic acid complex].

A mixture of alpha-tricalcium phosphate [alpha-Ca3(PO4)2; alpha-TCP] with a citric acid solution produces a hardened alpha-TCP-citric acid complex. The influence of tannic acid as an additive in the solution on the physical and chemical properties of the obtained complex was examined as a basic study for new calcium phosphate materials incorporating alpha-TCP. alpha-TCP was mixed with mixing liquids containing citric and tannic acids at various ratios [total acid = 45% (w/w)] at a powder/liquid = 2.2/1.0 (g/g). Compressive strength, setting time, and solubility & disintegration of the resulting complexes were measured by the methods specified by ADAS No. 61. After immersing the plates of the complexes in distilled water for 1 and 7 days, the surface structure of the plates was examined by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy. The substances solubilized and disintegrated in the water for 1 day were also examined by measuring quantitative Ca and P concentration. When the ratio of tannic acid to total acids (T/A) was higher than 30% (w/w), both setting time and solubility & disintegration increased remarkably. In the case of the complex at T/A = 30%, both setting time and solubility & disintegration showed the minimum value (6.25 min and 1.70%). For compressive strength, the maximum value (139 MPa) was obtained at T/A = 10%. Although the strength decreased markedly with increasing T/A beyond 10%, that of the complex at T/A = 30% was still a high level (103 MPa). The products on the surfaces before and after immersing the plates in distilled water were also discussed.