Study of bone-like hydroxyapatite/polyamino acid composite materials for their biological properties and effects on the reconstruction of long bone defects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bone-like hydroxyapatite/polyamino acid (BHA/PAA) in the osteogenesis and reconstruction of long segmental bone defects. METHODS: In vitro, MG63 cells were cultured with BHA/PAA. The osteoinductive activity of the BHA/PAA material was evaluated using inverted microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, MTT proliferation assay, and the determination of alkaline phosphatase activity and Ca(2+) content. In vivo, the radial bone defect was made in 20 New Zealand White rabbits, and then these animal were randomly divided into two groups (n=10), the experimental group (with BHA/PAA) and the control group (without BHA/PAA). Postoperatively, the osteogenesis effect of BHA/PAA was evaluated through X-ray, hematoxylin–eosin staining, observation of the gross bone specimen, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent confocal scanning microscopy. RESULTS: In vitro, BHA/PAA promoted the adhesion, growth, and calcium nodule formation of MG63 cells, and it had good osteogenesis activity. In vivo, with BHA/PAA material degradation and absorption, the new bone gradually formed, and the bone defect gradually recovered in the experimental group. In the control group, a limited bone formation was found at the bone broken ends, and the bone defect was obviously visible. CONCLUSION: In vitro and in vivo, we confirmed that BHA/PAA was effective in inducing osteogenesis and reconstructing a long segmental bone defect.