Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Nano-hydroxyapatite/carboxymethyl chitosan-sodium alginate (nano-HA/CMCS-SAL) composite powders were synthesized using the co-precipitation method in preliminary study. Biodegradable bone cements characterized as the appropriate mechanical properties and good adhesion strengths were prepared using the powders mixed with solution of citric acid derivatives.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of nano-HA/CMCS-SAL compound bone cements on the attachment and proliferation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in vitro and to explore their biocompatibilities.
METHODS: Nano-HA/CMCS-SAL powders as solid phase of bone cements were prepared by the co-precipitation method. Bone cements were prepared using the liquid phase of citric acid derivatives solution. Rabbit BMSCs were seeded on the materials following passage and amplification for further culture in vitro. Cells cultured in the plates without materials were taken as controls.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Rabbit BMSCs grew well, and were spindle-shaped and fibroblast-like at 2 days of culture     in vitro. The mean number of cells in the experimental group was obviously higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy observation: the bone cements had a good porous structure, and Rabbit BMSCs were attached to the material surfaces with cytoplasmic extensions and lamellipodia. The cells kept on a continued proliferation in both groups, and the proliferation of cells in the experimental group was obviously increased compared with the control group at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days of culture (P < 0.01). It is indicated that the nano-HA/CMCS-SAL compound bone cements have a good biocompatibility.