Melt-derived condensed polymorphic calcium phosphate as bone substitute material: An in vitro study

Abstract

The calcium phosphate family of biomaterials includes numerous compounds that might find applicability in orthopedics and dentistry as implant materials. However, only calcium phosphates of higher Ca:P ratio such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates have been exposed to extensive investigations. Reports on the biomedical application of calcium phosphates with lower Ca:P ratios are sparse. The condensed calcium phosphates ([Ca(PO3)2] n-Ca:P=0.5) represent such material. In the present work, calcium polyphosphate (CPP) with Ca:P=0.5 was synthesized and CPP scaffolds were fabricated. The synthesized polymorphic CPP powder was characterized for its chemical prosperities using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques and the fabricated scaffolds were tested in MC3T3 (murine osteoblast) cells for their biocompatibility. Cell viability test results indicate that CPP did not exert cytotoxicity effect on the cells after being cultured 21 days. CPP sintered at 1100°C showed better cell attachment and proliferation. The results obtained in the present work demonstrate the suitability of CPP as potential scaffold material for translocation of cells. © 2011 The American Ceramic Society.