Preparation and characterization of gelatin–hydroxyapatite composite microspheres for hard tissue repair

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2015-12, Vol.57, p.113-122
• Main Authors: Chao, Shao Ching, Wang, Ming-Jia, Pai, Nai-Su, Yen, Shiow-Kang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bioactivity; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Bone Regeneration - physiology; Bone Substitutes - chemical synthesis; Bone Substitutes - therapeutic use; Bones; Cell culture; Durapatite - chemistry; Durapatite - therapeutic use; Fracture Healing - physiology; Gelatin; Gelatin - chemistry; Gelatin - therapeutic use; Gelatins; Hydroxyapatite; Materials Testing; Microspheres; Osteoconductivity; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Scaffolds; Scanning electron microscopy; Skull Fractures - pathology; Skull Fractures - physiopathology; Skull Fractures - therapy; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.07.047

Gelatin–hydroxyapatite composite microspheres composed of 21% gelatin (G) and 79% hydroxyapatite (HA) with uniform morphology and controllable size were synthesized from a mixed solution of Ca(NO3)2, NH4H2PO4 and gelatin by a wet-chemical method. Material analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning/transmission electron microscopy examination (SEM/TEM) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) were used to characterize G–HA microspheres by analyzing their crystalline phase, microstructure, morphology and composition. HA crystals precipitate along G fibers to form nano-rods with diameters of 6–10nm and tangle into porous microspheres after blending. The cell culture indicates that G–HA composite microspheres without any toxicity could enhance the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells. In a rat calvarial defect model, G–HA bioactive scaffolds were compared with fibrin glue (F) and Osteoset® Bone Graft Substitute (OS) for their capacity of regenerating bone. Four weeks post-implantation, new bone, mineralization, and expanded blood vessel area were found in G–HA scaffolds, indicating greater osteoconductivity and bioactivity than F and OS. •G–HA composite microspheres were prepared by hydroxyapatite and gelatin.•In vitro tests indicated that the G–HA microspheres were biocompatible and bioactive.•In in vitro tests, G–HA microspheres could be applied in hard tissue engineering.•G–HA had healed the bone defect and provides a high proportion of surface area to open space.