Synthesis of magnesium- and manganese-doped hydroxyapatite structures assisted by the simultaneous incorporation of strontium.

Samples of crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) with and without the addition of individual Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and Sr(2+) ions and samples with the addition of all three ions simultaneously were prepared using the precipitation method in an aqueous medium. Chemical, structural, spectroscopic and thermophysical analyses of the synthesized samples were conducted. The obtained results indicate that Sr(2+) ions were easily incorporated into the HA crystal structure, whereas it was difficult to incorporate Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) ions into the HA lattice when these ions were individually introduced into the samples. The synthesis of HA with Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions is characterized by the formation of HA with a low concentration of doping elements that is outweighed by the amount of these atoms present in less biocompatible phases that formed simultaneously. However, the incorporation of Sr(2+) along with Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) ions into the samples allowed for the synthesis of HA with considerably higher concentrations of Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) in the crystal lattice.

Biological monitoring of a xenomaterial for grafting: an evaluation in critical-size calvarial defects.

Our purpose was to evaluate the osteoconduction potential of mixed bovine bone (MBB) xenografts as an alternative for bone grafting of critical-size defects in the calvaria of rats. After surgery, in the time intervals of 1, 3, 6, and 9 months, rats were killed and their skulls collected, radiographed and histologically prepared for analysis. The data obtained from histological analysis reported that the particles of MBB did not promote an intense immunological response, evidencing its biocompatibility in rats. Our results clearly showed the interesting evidence that MBB was not completely reabsorbed at 9 months while a small amount of newly formed bone was deposited by osteoprogenitor cells bordering the defect. However, this discrete bone-forming stimulation was unable to regenerate the bone defect. Overall, our results suggest that the properties of MBB are not suitable for stimulating intense bone regeneration in critical bone defects in rats.

Nucleation and growth of octacalcium phosphate on treated titanium by immersion in a simplified simulated body fluid.

A simplified simulated body fluid solution (S-SBF) was used to study the kinetics and mechanism of nucleation and growth of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) on the surfaces of alkali and heat-treated titanium samples. After the alkali and heat treatments, the samples were soaked in S-SBF for periods varying up to 24 h. A thin layer of poorly crystallized calcium titanate was formed after 15 min of immersion, allowing for the deposition of another layer of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). After 2.5 h of immersion, OCP nuclei were observed on the surface of the ACP layer. After 5 h of immersion in S-SBF solution, the specimens were completely covered with a homogeneous plate-like layer of OCP. Analyses by transmission electron microscopy revealed that nucleation and growth of OCP occurred concomitantly to the crystallization of ACP in hydroxyapatite (HA). This transformation took place by solid-state diffusion, forming a needle-like HA structure underneath the OCP film.

Histomorphometric analysis of HA-coated implants interface with irradiated and nonirradiated bone.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether osseointegration of HA-coated implants can be affected by irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single dose of 15 Gy was applied to the right tibia of 5 rabbits and the left tibia was not irradiated and used as control. After 3 months, the animals were killed and the quantification of the implant-bone contact surfaces was performed using scanning electron micrographs of the resin sections containing the implants in the irradiated and nonirradiated bones. After the healing period, all implants were stable. RESULTS: The results show a mean percentage of bone-implant contact of 45.52% in the irradiated tissue and 47.56% in the nonirradiated tissue, with no statistic significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, radiotherapy may not interfere with osseointegration process around HA-coated implants in rabbit cortical bone.

Influence of titanium surface roughness on attachment of Streptococcus sanguis: an in vitro study.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of the decontamination protocol for bacterial removal in titanium surfaces with three different levels of roughness using a high-pressure sodium bicarbonate device for 1 minute under aseptic conditions. Group 1 was composed of 10 as-machined titanium sheets and Groups 2 and 3 of titanium sheets blasted with aluminum oxide (Al2O3, alumina) particles with different diameters: Group 2 was blasted with 65-microm particles and Group 3 with 250-microm particles. The titanium specimens were sterilized and incubated in tubes containing a suspension of Streptococcus sanguis. The colony-forming units were counted before and after the application of the decontamination protocol. The arithmetic mean roughness (R(a)) per group was: Group 1, 0.17 microm +/- 0.01; Group 2, 1.14 microm +/- 0.15; and Group 3, 3.17 microm +/- 0.23. After the contamination period, Group 1 remained with 49 x 10(3) bacterial cells, and the bacterial concentrations of Groups 2 and 3 were 11 x 10(4) and 35 x 10(5), respectively. After the application of the decontamination protocol, no viable bacteria were detected. With the increase of the surface roughness, an exponential increase in bacterial cells was observed. The results showed that the decontamination protocol treatment with a high-pressure sodium bicarbonate device efficiently removed all bacterial cells in all surfaces tested. This indicates that high-pressure sodium bicarbonate spray should be used in the maintenance phase of implant treatment.

Dissolution properties of calcium phosphate granules with different compositions in simulated body fluid.

Calcium phosphate granules were produced through the calcination of three hydroxyapatites (HAs) at 1150 degrees C: nearly-stoichiometric (NS-HA), calcium-deficient (CD-HA), and carbonated (Carb-HA). The characterization using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that those granules exhibit strong differences in chemical composition, surface texture, and dissolution behavior. Sample dissolution in a simulated body fluid (SBF) and precipitation of a calcium phosphate layer on the granule surface were followed up for 7 days by chemical analysis of calcium content in SBF. After 80-min reaction, precipitation of new calcium phosphate phases predominates over the dissolution of original granules. Comparison between SEM images and XRD/FT-IR analysis revealed that the composition of the calcium phosphate layer and its precipitation rate depend on the HA composition and its heat treatment. Calcined carbonated apatite induces the precipitation of an octacalcium phosphate (OPC) layer, whereas a carbonated apatite layer is formed from calcined-deficient HA. The calcined nearly-stoichiometric HA exhibits low efficiency in producing carbonated apatite layer.

Hydroxyapatite deposition by electrophoresis on titanium sheets with different surface finishing.

Hydroxyapatite coatings are commonly applied to metallic biomedical implants to accelerate osseointegration. These coatings, usually produced by plasma spray techniques, can be obtained by alternative processes, like biomimetic process, electrolytic deposition, or electrophoretic process as well. Electrophoretic deposition of hydroxyapatite exhibits several advantages like simplicity and low cost. In this article, titanium sheets with three different surface finishing were coated with hydroxyapatite by using electrophoresis. Surface treatments include: (1) abrading with SiC paper; (2) abrading with SiC paper plus electrolytic etch with H3PO4 solution; and (3) blasting with alumina powder followed by etch with a solution containing H2O2 and HF. Stoichiometric hydroxyapatite was used to coat titanium sheets. Blasted samples were also coated using a calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite. SEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed to characterize titanium substrates and coatings produced. Results show that electrophoretic process can produce a uniform thin layer, satisfactorily adhered, of hydroxyapatite on treated titanium samples. Furthermore, sintering at 800 degrees C do not promote the decomposition of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite.