Injectable biphasic calcium phosphate bone cements (BCPCs) composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) have been intensively investigated owing to their high biodegradation rate, bioactivity and osteoconductivity which can be adjusted by changing the ratio between β-TCP and HA phases, post setting.

The goal of a new study published in Biomedical Materials was to evaluate the performance of 1 wt% chitosan fiber additive with biphasic calcium phosphate for injectable bone cement, both, in vitro and in vivo.

The results of the in vitro testing of compressive strength, degradation rate, morphology, and cell and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were analyzed by comparing with the bone cement without β-TCP. The in vivo testing of micro CT-scanning and histological examinations between three groups of Control, BCPC and commercial biphasic calcium phosphate granule were characterized and compared.

It was observed that after adding β-TCP of 20 wt%, the initial and final setting times of the sample were 3.92 min and 11.46 min, respectively—which were not significantly variant as compared to the sample without β-TCP.

The findings suggested that the degradation time of the BCPC material will be increased more than CPC alone. The healing process was significantly faster in BCPC than those in control and commercial product. Hence, this was the first evidence that BCPC are attractive for bone surgery due to its faster healing stimulation with faster degradation rate.

Source: Biomedical Materials. 2020 Mar 27. doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/ab8441.