To observe the clinical effect and safety of the nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) composite in repairing the bone defects due to benign bone tumors. Methods From January 2003 to May 2005, 38 patients (21 males, 16 females; age, 19-58 years, averaged 38.5 years) with the bone defects due to benign bone tumors were treated with the n-HA/PA66 grains. Among the 37 patients, 11 had fibrous dysplasia, 14 had bone cyst, 10 had giant cell tumor of the bone (Grade Ⅰ), and 2 had enchondroma. The tumors ranged in size from 1.0 cm×0.7 cm×0.4 cm to 10.0 cm×4.0 cm×3.0 cm, with the location of the proximal femur in 12 patients, the distal femur in 7, the proximal tibia in 9, the proximal humerus in 5, the phalanges of the finger in 2, the metacarpal bone in 1,and the calcaneus in 1. Allthe benign bone tumors underwent the curettage treatment, and then the tumor cavities were filled up with the n-HA/PA66 grains. The incision healing, local inflammatory reaction, rejection, toxic reaction, tumor cavity healing, and function recovery of the limbs were all observed after operation. Results All the patients were followed up for 5-33 months, and all the incisions healed by the first intention except 1 incision, which developed infection. The inflammatory reaction was mild, with no reection or general toxic reaction. At 3 to 5.5 months(mean 4 months) after operation, osteogenesis wasfound in the space filled with the n-HA/PA66 grains. Eight months after operation, the patients’ lower limbs could bear weights; 5 months after operation, the upper limbs could complete daily work. Conclusion The n-HA/PA66 grains have great biological safety, good biocompatibility, and good bone conduction, which aregood materials for the bone repair and reconstruction, and can be safely, andeffectively used for repairing the bone defects due to benign bone tumors．
ObjectiveTo observe the ability of osteogenesis in vivo using the injected absorbable polyamine acid/calcium sulfate (PAA/CS) composites and assess their ability to repair bone defects. MethodWe selected 48 New Zealand white rabbits, and half of them were male with a weight between 2.0 and 2.5 kg. Bone defect models were made at the rabbit femoral condyle using electric drill, and the rabbits were divided into two groups. One group accepted implantation of the material at the defect, while nothing was done for the control group. After four, eight, twelve and sixteen weeks, the animals were killed. The line X-ray and hard tissue slices histological examination (HE, MASSON staining) were observed to assess the situation of degradation, absorption and bone formation of the material. ResultsFour weeks after operation, bone defect of the experimental group had no obvious callus growth on X-ray imaging. Histology showed that the material began to degrade and new immature trabecular bone grew. The bone defect of the experimental group had a small amount of callus growth on X-ray imaging after eight weeks. And histology showed that the material continued to degrade and new immature trabecular bone grew continually. There was an obvious callus growth after twelve weeks, and the bone defect area had smaller residual low-density shadow on X-ray imaging. Histology showed that most of the materials degraded and parts of woven bone grew into lamellar bone. After sixteen weeks, the composites were absorbed completely, replaced by new bone tissues, and the new bone was gradually changed from woven bone into mature plate of bone. There was no significant change in bone defect in the control group within twelve weeks, and part of bone defect hole became smaller, and partial edge repair could be detected. ConclusionsThe PAA/CS composites can be completely degraded and absorbed, with a certain activity of bone formation, expected to be used as bone repair materials.
ObjectiveTo explore a simple and rapid pathological slices method to observe the porous structure and the composition distribution of composite materials. MethodsTaking polyurethane/small intestinal submucosa (PU/SIS) composite as an example, PU/SIS was OCT-embedded and sliced into sections by frozen section technology, after which general observation of the section integrity was carried out. After dyed with water-soluble eosin in alcoholic solution, the staining effect and the porous structure of the composite were observed under light field microscope. Sections were sealed with five different sealing methods. Group A: sealing piece using glycerogelatin method; group B: anhydrous alcohol dehydration→transparency using TO transparent reagent→sealing piece using neutral quick drying glue; group C: color separation using deionized water→air-drying→sealing piece using neutral quick drying glue; group D: air-drying→transparency using TO transparent reagent→sealing piece using neutral quick drying glue; group E: air-drying→sealing piece using neutral quick drying glue. Then, the morphology and the components distribution of the composite were observed under light field microscope, and the simple and feasible method was selected as optimum method. ResultsFrom general observation, the frozen section of the PU/SIS composite, which was 6 μm in thickness, was complete and continuous. Although the outline of the material and the porous structure in the sections could be observed clearly under light field microscope, the two components still could not be identified by using eosin staining method. After sealing piece, the material components in groups A, B, and C still could not be identified or be dissolved and deformed; the morphology of the material in groups D and E were preserved and the two components in the composite were clearly visible. ConclusionThe morphology and the components distribution of PU/SIS frozen sections can be characterized after soluble eosin staining and neutral quick drying glue sealing.
Bioactive glass (BG) has been widely used in the preparation of artificial bone scaffolds due to its excellent biological properties and non-cytotoxicity, which can promote bone and soft tissue regeneration. However, due to the brittleness, poor mechanical strength, easy agglomeration and uncontrollable structure of glass material, its application in various fields is limited. In this regard, most current researches mainly focus on mixing BG with organic or inorganic materials by freeze-drying method, sol-gel method, etc., to improve its mechanical properties and brittleness, so as to increase its clinical application and expand its application field. This review introduces the combination of BG with natural organic materials, metallic materials and non-metallic materials, and demonstrates the latest technology and future prospects of BG composite materials through the development of scaffolds, injectable fillers, membranes, hydrogels and coatings. The previous studies show that the addition of BG improves the mechanical properties, biological activity and regeneration potential of the composites, and broadens the application of BG in the field of bone tissue engineering. By reviewing the recent BG researches on bone regeneration, the research potential of new materials is demonstrated, in order to provide a reference for future related research.