Development of nanofluorapatite polymer-based composite for bioactive orthopedic implants and prostheses

Abstract

Fluorapatite with low solubility is a promising biomaterial due to its structure, which is similar to hydroxyapatite. In this study a bioactive composite of nanofluorapatite (n-FA) and polyamide 12(PA12) was fabricated. The results revealed that the mechanical properties (such as compressive strength and elastic modulus), hydrophilicity, and antibacterial properties of n-FA/PA12composite were obviously improved by adding n-FA into PA12as compared with PA12. In addition, cell proliferation of MC3T3-E1cells cultured on n-FA/PA12composite was significantly higher than with PA12, and alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1cells on the n-FA/PA12composite was expressed at obviously higher levels as compared with PA12. The results suggest that n-FA/PA12composite could support cell proliferation and differentiation, showing good cytocompatibility. Histological evaluation indicates that n-FA/PA12composite enhances the efficiency of new bone formation with the introduction of n-FA into PA12, and the quantity of the newly formed bone for n-FA/PA12composite is significantly higher than with PA12. In conclusion, n-FA/PA12composite exhibits good biocompatibility and osteogenesis, which might be used for various orthopedic prostheses and dental implants. © 2014 Hu et al.