Objective To evaluate the internal fixation effect, degradation, and biocompatibility of polylactic-co-glycolic acid/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) absorbable cannulated screws in treatment of lateral femoral condyle fracture of canine so as to provide the theory basis for their further improvement and clinical application. Methods Sixteen adult male Beagles (weighing, 9-12 kg) were selected to prepare the models of bilateral lateral femoral condyle fracture; left fracture was fixed with PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screws as experimental group and right fracture with metal screws as control group. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, general observation was done and X-ray films were taken for observing fracture healing; bone mineral density was measured; the histological examination was performed; and the degradation property of absorbable cannulated screws was detected. Results All animals survived to the end of the experiment. General observations showed that no fracture displacement occurred and fracture healed at 12 weeks in 2 groups; no breakage, displacement, or loosening of screws was observed in experimental group. X-ray films results showed that the absorbable cannulated screws could not be found out by X-ray in experimental group, but metal screws could be found out in control group; fracture healed with time in 2 groups. The bone mineral density reached the peak at 8 weeks in 2 groups, and no significant difference was found between 2 groups and among different time points in the same group (P gt; 0.05). Histological examination showed that 2 groups had similar fracture healing process at different time points; no obvious inflammatory reaction was found around absorbable cannulated screws in experimental group. The degradation results of absorbable cannulated screws showed that the intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distribution obviously decreased at 2 weeks; the number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight markedly decreased at 4 weeks; and the maximum shear force did not decrease obviously at 8 weeks, and then decreased significantly. Significant differences were found in all indexes among different time points in the same group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screws and metal screws show similar fracture healing process for fixing lateral femoral condyle fracture of canine, and the absorbable canulated screws have good biocompatibility. The maximum shear force of PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screw has no obvious decrease during 8 weeks after operation, so it can ensure full healing of fracture.
To investigate the cl inical results and the mechanism of bone heal ing for the repair of bone defects following tumor resection with novel interporous TCP bone graft, and to test the hypothesis of “structural transplantation”. Methods From January 2003 to December 2005, 61 cases of various bone defects following the curettage of the benign bone tumors were treated with interporous TCP, with 33 males and 28 females, including bone fibrous dysplasiain 8 cases, bone cyst in 23 cases, eosinophil ic granuloma in 12 cases, enchondroma in 13 cases, non-ossifying fibroma in 2 cases, and osteoblastoma in 3 cases. Tumor sizes varied from 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 5.0 cm. The plain X-ray, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and histology examination were obtained at various time points after operation. The in vivo biodegradation rate of the implanted TCP was evaluated based on a semi-quantitive radiographic analyzing method. Histopathology examination was performed in 1 revision case. Results All the patients were followed up for 5 to 24 months after operation. They all had good wound heal ing and bone regeneration. There was neither significant reverse reaction to the transplanted material nor locally inflammatory reaction in all of the cases. The bone defects were repaired gradually from 1 to 6 months after operation (bone heal ing at average 2.6 months after surgery) with a bone heal ing rate up to 96.7%. There was only 1 recurrence case (eosinophil ic granuloma in ischium) 3 months after operation. Given revision operation, this case gained bone heal ing. Radiographically, the interface between the implanted bone and host bone became fuzzy 1 month after implantation, indicating the beginning of new bone formation. Three months later, the absorption of the interporous TCP was noticed from peripheral to the center of the implanted bone evidenced by the vague or fuzzy realm. New bone formation could be seen both in peri pheral and central areas. Six months later, implanted bone and host bone merged together and the bone defect was totally repaired, with 78.9% degradation rate of the implanted TCP. Twelve months later, the majority of the implanted bone was absorbed and bone remodel ing was establ ished. In the cases that were followed up for 24 months, the function of affectedextremity was excellent with good bone remodel ing without recurrence. In 2 cases, SPECT showed that nucl ide uptake could be observed in implanted site and the metabol ic activity was high both in the central as well as the peripheral areas of the graft 1 month after implantation, which was an evidence of osteogenesis. Pathologically, the interporous TCP closely contacted the host bone inside the humerus 1 month after grafting. The interface between the implanted bone and host bone became fuzzy, and vascularized tissue began growing inside the implanted graft as a “l ining” structure. Conclusion The interporous TCP proves to be effective for cl inical reparation of bone defects following tumor resection. The inside three-dimensional porous structure simulates the natural bionic bone structure which is suitable for recruitment related cells in-growth into the scaffold, colonizing and prol iferation companied with the process of vascularize, finally with the new bone formation. The novel interporous TCP may boast both bone conductive and bone inductive activities, as an appeal ing “structural transplantation” bone graft.
Objective To explore a way to make a new kind of chitosan-basedmicrosphere (MS), which can be used as a novel biodegradable haemostatic powder, and to confirm its haemostatic efficiency. MethodsChitosan(CTS), a haemostatic polysaccharide, was selected as a main material for the haemostatic powder; alginate (ALG), another haemostatic polysaccharide that has been found to be effective in promoting haemostasis in surgical procedures, was selected to be thecostar. The emulsification and the cross-link were chosen as a preparation process based on the interaction between the polysaccharides. The diameter of the prepared MS was determined by SPOS, and the surface of MS was observed under SEM. The swelling characteristics of MS in the simulative wound efflusion were investigated. In a splenic bleeding model in 6 rabbits, MS and Yunnanbaiyao were randomly used as a haemostatic agent, and the corresponding bleeding time was recorded. Results The MS prepared in the above-mentioned process was well proportioned and was similarly shaped. It became a kind of white powder after dehydration, and had a coralloid surface under SEM. The diameter of the MS was 4.05±2.55 μm, which was determined by SPOS. The swelling ratio of the MS was 280.139% within 5 min. The bleeding time was significantly decreased in the MStreated group (2.83±0.17 min) when compared with that in the control group (5.33±0.49 min)(P＜0.01). Conclusion The CTS/ALG-MS, which is made from haemostatic biomaterials (CTS, ALG) by emulsification and the cross-link processes, can be provided with favorable haemostatic efficiency. It can be used as a novel haemostaticpowder.However, its biodegrading rate and mode still remain to be further studied.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate protection of biological activity and controlled release of growth factor by means of drug controlled release technique in tissue engineering. METHODS: Using drug controlled release technique that to embed or microcapsulate the biological drug with biodegradable polymer. RESULTS: The aliphatic polylactone could be used as drug carrier for each drug including the biological matter. And the release behavior of the drug could be controlled by adjusting the molecular structure of the carrier and the controlled release method. The successful example, that to realize regeneration of rat’s sciatic nerve with 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm of gap by using polylactide as nerve guide and the embedding growth factor, had been obtained. CONCLUSION: It is possible to realize protection of biological activity and sustained release of growth factor by using aliphatic polylactone as drug carrier.
OBJECTIVE To repair long bone segmental defects using biodegradable poly epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid(PLA) co-polymer membranes, and explore its role and mechanism in guided bone regeneration (GBR). METHODS Rabbit radial segmental defects (1.2 cm in length, retain the periosteum) were created in this study, 24 animals were divided into 2 groups. The membranes were used to enclose the defects in experimental group, and no treatment in control group. After 3, 6, and 12 weeks of operation, X-ray, gross and histological examinations were observed. RESULTS The bone regeneration of experimental group was better than that of control group. Three weeks after operation, obvious external callus along the membrane were found in experimental group, and bony linking composed of external callus bridge were found in 6 weeks after operation. After 12 weeks of operation, callus bridge outside the membrane and bony reunion inside the membrane were achieved in experimental group. While in control group, typical nonunion was observed after 6 weeks of operation. CONCLUSION Guided bone regeneration can be achieved by using biodegradable membrane. The defects are repaired by the means of outside membrane callus and relatively late inside membrane callus. The membrane can prevent the ingrowth of fibrous tissue into defect area, thus nonunion are avoid, and keep a high concentration of nutritive elements, also serve as a frame for osteocyte growth to enhance bone healing.
Objective To evaluate the suitability of the biodegradable microsphere encapsulation of adenovirus as a targeting vector for gene therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Encapsulate the recombinant adenovirus in PLG 〔poly (lactic/glycolic)〕 copolymer by the solution evaporation method, the release test and the bioactivity of viruses incorporated in vitro were studied. Results More than 19.3% of adenovirus was encapsulated in PLG microspheres. The release test shows that the adenovirus was released for more than 200 h, 50% were shed within the first 100 h, and their activity was retained. Conclusion Recombinant adenovirus can be formulated in a polymer preparation of PLG with retention of bioactivity. It may be a valuable vector for the gene therapy of liver cancer.
ObjectiveAdopting poly-L-lactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the material to fabricate PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane by electrospinning technology. And to study its preventive effect on postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion of rat.MethodsPLGA and PEG were mixed at the ratio of 19∶1(M/M), then dissolved in organic solvent. The PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was prepared by electrospinning technology, and then the gross observation and scanning electron microscope observation were taken. Fifty-four Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 180-200 g), were randomly divided into 3 groups. The rats in control group (n=6) were left intact. The rats in model group (n=24) and PLGA/PEG group (n=24) were treated with the method of mechanical injury of the cecal serosa in order to establish the intraperitoneal adhesion models; then the PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was used to cover the wound in PLGA/PEG group, but was not in the model group. The intraperitoneal adhesion in PLGA/PEG group and model group were observed at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks after operation, and the adhesion degree was assessed according to the self-generated standard. The degradation of PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was also observed in PLGA/PEG group. At each time point, the rats were harvested for histological observation. All the above indexes were compared with the control group.ResultsUsing the electrospinning technology, PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was prepared successfully. PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was white and opaque, with soft texture. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane was mainly composed of disorderly staggered fibers, with microporous structure. All rats survived to the end of the experiment. Gross observation showed that PLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane gradually degraded after implantation in vivo, and the adhesion degree in PLGA/PEG group was significantly lower than that in model group (P<0.05), but it had not yet reached to the level of the control group (P<0.05). Histological observation showed that the proliferation of cecal fibrous connective tissue was slower in PLGA/PEG group than in model group, and adhesion severity significantly decreased, only with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Nevertheless, it was not up to the level of the control group.ConclusionPLGA/PEG electrospun polymer membrane can effectively prevent postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion of rat, and has good biodegradability.
The stiffness of an ideal fracture internal fixation implant should have a time-varying performance, so that the fracture can generate reasonable mechanical stimulation at different healing stages, and biodegradable materials meet this performance. A topology optimization design method for composite structures of fracture internal fixation implants with time-varying stiffness is proposed, considering the time-dependent degradation process of materials. Using relative density and degradation residual rate to describe the distribution and degradation state of two materials with different degradation rates and elastic modulus, a coupled mathematical model of degradation simulation mechanical analysis was established. Biomaterial composite structures were designed based on variable density method to exhibit time-varying stiffness characteristics. Taking the bone plate used for the treatment of tibial fractures as an example, a composite structure bone plate with time-varying stiffness characteristics was designed using the proposed method. The optimization results showed that material 1 with high stiffness formed a columnar support structure, while material 2 with low stiffness was distributed at the degradation boundary and inside. Using a bone remodeling simulation model, the optimized bone plates were evaluated. After 11 months of remodeling, the average elastic modulus of callus using degradable time-varying stiffness plates, titanium alloy plates, and stainless steel plates were 8 634 MPa, 8 521 MPa, and 8 412 MPa, respectively, indicating that the use of degradable time-varying stiffness plates would result in better remodeling effects on the callus.