Use of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution for sterilisation and preservation improves mechanical properties and osteogenesis of allografts

Allografts eliminate the disadvantages associated with autografts and synthetic scaffolds but are associated with a disease-transmission risk. Therefore, allograft sterilisation is crucial. We aimed to determine whether polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) can be used for sterilisation and as a new wet-preservation method. PVP-I–sterilised and preserved allografts demonstrated improved mechanical property, osteogenesis, and excellent microbial inhibition. A thigh muscle pouch model of nude mice showed that PVP-I–preserved allografts demonstrated better ectopic formation than Co(60)-sterilised allografts (control) in vivo (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the PVP-I–preserved group showed no difference between 24 h and 12 weeks of allograft preservation (P > 0.05). PVP-I–preserved allografts showed more hydrophilic surfaces and PVP-I–sterilised tendons showed higher mechanical strength than Co(60)-sterilised tendons (P < 0.05). The level of residual PVP-I was higher without washing and with prolonged preservation (P < 0.05). In vitro cellular tests showed that appropriate PVP-I concentration was nontoxic to preosteoblast cells, and cellular differentiation measured by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene markers was enhanced (P < 0.05). Therefore, the improved biological performance of implanted allografts may be attributable to better surface properties and residual PVP-I, and PVP-I immersion can be a simple, easy method for allograft sterilisation and preservation.