Preliminary Report on the Biocompatibility of a Moldable, Resorbable, Composite Bone Graft Consisting of Calcium Phosphate Cement and Poly (Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Microspheres

Published

May 1, 2002

Author(s)

Carl Simon Jr., C A. Khatri, Scott Wight, Francis W. Wang

Abstract

We have assessed the biocompatibility of a new composite bone graft consisting of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (175-350 ?m) using cell culture techniques. CPC powder is mixed with PLGA microspheres and water to yield a workable paste that can be sculpted to fit the contours of a wound. The cement then hardens into a matrix of hydroxyapatite microcrystals containing PLGA microspheres. The microspheres initially stabilize the graft but will gradually degrade leaving behind pores for colonization by osteoblasts. The CPC matrix can then be resorbed and replaced with new bone. Previously, we assessed the mechanical properties and in-vitro degradation of the composite bone graft. In the present study, osteoblast-like cells were seeded onto graft specimens and observed with fluorescence microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy. Cells were able to adhere and attain a normal morphology when cultured on the composite (CPC-PLGA) and control (CPC alone) grafts suggesting that our new cement consisting of CPC and PLGA microspheres is biocompatible.

Citation

Journal of Orthopaedic Research

Volume

20

Issue

No. 3

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

biocompatibility, biodegradable, bone graft, calcium phosphate cement, composite, ESEM, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polymer

Citation

Simon Jr., C. , Khatri, C. , Wight, S. and Wang, F. (2002), Preliminary Report on the Biocompatibility of a Moldable, Resorbable, Composite Bone Graft Consisting of Calcium Phosphate Cement and Poly (Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Microspheres, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=851741 (Accessed October 2, 2025)