Organoapatites: Materials for artificial bone. III. Biological testing

Samuel I. Stupp*, Jacqueline A. Hanson, Jo Ann Eurell, Glenn W. Ciegler, Ann Johnson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article reports on the in vivo testing of new artificial bone materials we have termed “organoapatites.” These materials consist of mineral networks in which organic polymers are intimately dispersed by nucleation and growth of apatite crystals from a mother liquor containing the organic substances. Organoapatites were tested as implants in adult canine cortical bone for periods in the range from 12–35 weeks and fluorochromes were used in the model to investigate the kinetics of bone growth or repair. The analysis of histological samples was carried out using histomorphometric methods as well as fluorescence microscopy. Results showed excellent apposition of poly(amino acid) organoapatites with mineralized bone and fibrous encapsulation when a synthetic polyelectrolyte was the only organic component. This observation suggests that the molecularly dispersed organic dopant amounting to only 2–3% by weight of the microstructure can play a critical role in the tissue response to the implant. Relative to apatite controls, organoapatites were also found to have greater resistance to fragmentation in vivo and those containing amino acid units revealed interfacial bioerosion accompanined by regeneration of mineralized tissue. Design of organoapatite compositions and microstructures may therefore be useful in achieving the specific rate of biological response which is clinically desired. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)301-311
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomaterials

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