Development of nanofluorapatite polymer-based composite for bioactive orthopedic implants and prostheses

Abstract

Gangfeng Hu,1,2 Hui Wang,1 Xiaocong Yao,1 Dawei Bi,1 Gang Zhu,1 Songchao Tang,2 Jie Wei,2 Lili Yang,3 Peijian Tong,4 Luwei Xiao4 1The First People’s Hospital of Xiaoshang, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Ultra-fine Materials, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 4Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Fluorapatite with low solubility is a promising biomaterial due to its structure, which is similar to hydroxyapatite. In this study a bioactive composite of nanofluorapatite (n-FA) and polyamide 12 (PA12) was fabricated. The results revealed that the mechanical properties (such as compressive strength and elastic modulus), hydrophilicity, and antibacterial properties of n-FA/PA12 composite were obviously improved by adding n-FA into PA12 as compared with PA12. In addition, cell proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on n-FA/PA12 composite was significantly higher than with PA12, and alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells on the n-FA/PA12 composite was expressed at obviously higher levels as compared with PA12. The results suggest that n-FA/PA12 composite could support cell proliferation and differentiation, showing good cytocompatibility. Histological evaluation indicates that n-FA/PA12 composite enhances the efficiency of new bone formation with the introduction of n-FA into PA12, and the quantity of the newly formed bone for n-FA/PA12 composite is significantly higher than with PA12. In conclusion, n-FA/PA12 composite exhibits good biocompatibility and osteogenesis, which might be used for various orthopedic prostheses and dental implants. Keywords: nanofluorapatite, bioactive composites, cell behavior, orthopedic implants