Calcium Phosphate Cement Plus 10% Wollastonite Whiskers: An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Biomaterials can be used in several areas of regenerative bioengineering, and is a viable option in the repair of bone injuries. A number of different types of biomaterials have been studied in relation to bone repair. Ceramics such as α-TCP have low fracture toughness compared to natural bone, so reinforcements such as wollastonite whiskers are developed so that they can be used in places with greater overload. This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility and bone neoformation of α-TCP plus 10% wollastonite whiskers, in vivo. To obtain the cement, α-TCP powders with or without 10% wollastonite whiskers were added to an aqueous solution containing 2.5% by weight of Na2HPO4 (anhydrous bibasic sodium phosphate). The biomaterial then became a paste, which was molded into the critical 5 mm defect made in the parietal bone of Wistar rats. Ten rats were divided into two groups. The animals from each group were euthanized within 30 days. Calvaries were removed and subjected to histological processing with Eosin and Hematoxylin. The implementation of the whisker biomaterial revealed the formation of intensely vascularized connective tissue in the implemented region; however, animals with the biomaterial α-TCP showed the formation of this tissue around the implemented region. On the other hand, intense bone resorption was observed only in the animals with Wollastonite Whiskers, but new bone formation in both groups. The biomaterial evaluated was shown to be non-cytotoxic, resorbable, and capable of inducing bone neoformation; however, more studies should be carried out to assess the application of this biomaterial in bone injuries.