Objective To investigate the antibacterial and osteogenic capabil ities in vivo of hydroxyapatite (HA)/silver (Ag) coating. Methods HA/Ag coating (Ag qual ity percentage was 3%) and HA coating were deposited to external fixator Schanz screws. The tibial fracture model was establ ished in right hindl imb of 18 adult male Beagle dogs (weighing 15-20 kg). Thetibia was stabil ized with an external fixator and 2 Schanz screws of HA coating at proximal tibia (control group, n=18) and HA/Ag coating at distal tibia (experimental group, n=18), and every screw incision was infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Infection in screw holes and the changes of bone-screw interface were observed by wound grading and X-ray films. Results In control group, wounds infection became worse with time (χ2=13.492, P=0.001), while in experimental group, no obvious change was observed (χ2=0.208, P=0.901). The wound grading of experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group at 1, 2, and 3 weeks (P lt; 0.05). Laser scanning confocal microscope showed that there was bacterial adhesion on the surface of screws in 2 groups, viable becteria mainly in control group and non-viable becteria mainly in experimental group. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation results of the fractured sclerous tissue section showed that an obvious transparent boundary between screw and bone in control group, but no obvious boundary in experimental group. The osseointegration ratios were 76.23% ± 15.54% in control group and 93.42% ± 5.53% in experimental group, showing significant difference (t=8.843, P=0.000). The SEM observation showed that HA/Ag coating integrated with new bone and the surface of implant was filled with new bone in experimental group; obvious interspace was seen between the HA coating and new bone in control group. Conclusion HA/Ag coating has good antibacterial and osteogenic capabil ities, so it can take effects in preventing infection in screw holes and loosening of implants.
Objective To prepare silver-containing hydroxyapatite coating (hydroxyapatite/Ag, HA/Ag) and investigate its antibacterial property and biocompatibil ity in vitro. Methods Vacuum plasma spraying technique was adopted to prepare HA/Ag coating on titanium alloy substrate (3% Ag). After incubating the HA/Ag and the HA coating under staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa suspensions of 2% tryptic soy broth (TBS) medium for 2, 4 and 7 days, respectively, the biofilm on the coatings was examined by confocal laser scanning microscope, and the bacterial density and viable bacterial percentage of bacterial biofilm were calculated. Meanwhile, the micro-morphology of bacterial biofilm was observed by SEM, the cytotoxicity was detected via MTT and the biocompatibil ity of biofilm was evaluated by acute aemolysis test. Results Compared with HA coating, the bacterial biofilm’s thickness on the surface of HA/Ag coating witnessed no significant difference at 2 days after culture (Pgt; 0.05), but decreased obviously at 4 and 7 days after culture (P lt; 0.01). The bacterial density of the biofilm increased with time, but there was no significant difference between two coatings (P gt; 0.05) at 2, 4 and 7 days after culture. The viable bacterial percentage of the biofilms on the surface of HA/Ag coating decreased obviously compared with that of HA coating at 2, 4 and 7 days after cultureP lt; 0.01). The MTT notified the cytotoxic grade of both coatings was zero. The acute haemolysis assay showed that the hemolytic rate of HA/Ag and HA coating was 0.19% and 0.12%, respectively. Conclusion With good biocompatibil ity, significant antibacterial property against staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa, no obvious cytotoxicity and no erythrocyte destruction, the vacuum plasma sprayed HA/Ag coating is a promising candidate for the surface of orthopedic metal implants to improve their osseointegration and antibacterial property.