Evaluation of Ti/Al alloy coated with biogenic hydroxyapatite as an implant device in dogs’ femur bones

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine 2021-09, Vol.32 (9), p.119-15, Article 119
• Main Authors: Mahmoud, E. M., Sayed, M., Awaad, M., El-Zomor, S. T., Blum, M., Killinger, A., Gadow, R., Naga, S. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys - chemical synthesis; Alloys - chemistry; Alloys - pharmacology; Aluminum - chemistry; Aluminum - pharmacology; Aluminum base alloys; Animals; Biocompatibility; Biomaterials; Biomaterials Synthesis and Characterization; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical materials; Blood; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone growth; Bone healing; Bone mineral density; Bone Substitutes - chemical synthesis; Bone Substitutes - chemistry; Bone Substitutes - pharmacology; Bone surgery; Bones; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemical synthesis; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - pharmacology; Coatings; Composites; Dogs; Durapatite - chemistry; Durapatite - pharmacology; Femur; Femur - diagnostic imaging; Femur - drug effects; Femur - pathology; Glass; Histology; Hydroxyapatite; Implantation; Male; Materials Science; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Natural Materials; Osseointegration; Osteoconduction; Osteogenesis - drug effects; Polymer Sciences; Prostheses and Implants; Random Allocation; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Scanning electron microscopy; Surface Properties; Surfaces and Interfaces; Surgery; Thin Films; Titanium; Titanium - chemistry; Titanium - pharmacology; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0957-4530; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-021-06589-5

The main target of the present research was a full assessment of the toxicity effects and biocompatibility of a Ti/Al-alloy device coated with biogenic hydroxyapatite (bHA) when implanted in dogs in comparison with those of an uncoated Ti/Al-alloy device. The coating of the alloy was carried out using controlled high-velocity suspension flame spray (HVSFS) technique. Both coated and uncoated devices were implanted in dogs’ femur bones for different time periods (45 days and 90 days). Bone-formation ability and healing were followed up, and blood analysis was performed, at Time zero (immediately post surgery), and then at 3 days, 45 days, and 90 days post surgery. Bone mineral density checks, radiological scans of the femur bone, and histological analysis were also conducted. The in-vivo study results proved that implantation of a device made from bHA-coated Ti/Al alloy in dogs’ femur bones is completely safe. This is due to the high osteoconductivity of the coated alloy, which enables the formation of new bone and a full connection between new and original bone material. At 90 days post surgery, the coated alloy had been completely digested within the original bone; thus, it appeared as a part of the femur bone and not as a foreign body. Both the scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray and histology analysis findings affirmed the results. Furthermore, the blood tests indicated no toxicity effects during the 90 days of implantation.