Abstract
Polypyrrole (PPy) has gained interest as an implant
material due to its multifunctional properties and its
high compatibility with several cell and tissue types.
For the first time, the biocompatibility and
osteointegration of PPy coating, incorporated with
chondroitin sulfate (CS), were studied in vivo by
implanting PPy-coated bioabsorbable bone fixation
composite screws of poly-(lactide/glycolide) copolymer
(PLGA) and ß-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) into New Zealand
white rabbits. Uncoated bioabsorbable polymer composite
screws and commercially available stainless steel
cortical screws were used as reference implants. The
rabbits were euthanized 12 and 26 weeks after the
implantation. The systemic effects were evaluated from
food and water consumption, body weight, body
temperature, clinical signs, blood samples, internal
organ weights, and histological examination. Local
effects were studied from bone tissue and surrounding
soft tissue histology. New bone formation was evaluated
by micro-computed tomography, tetracycline labeling and
torsion tests. Torsion tests were performed in order to
capture the peak value of the torsion force during the
course of the screw's loosening. The coated screws
induced significantly more bone formation than the
uncoated screws. In addition, none of the implants
induced any systemic or local toxicity. The results
suggest that PPy is biocompatible with bone tissue and is
a potential coating for enhancing osteointegration in
orthopedic implants.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 065016 |
Journal | Biomedical Materials |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- absorbable screw
- biocompatibility
- in vivo
- osteointegration
- polypyrrole (PPy)