Understanding the influence of MgO and SrO binary doping on the mechanical and biological properties of beta-TCP ceramics

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of MgO and SrO doping on the mechanical and biological properties of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). beta-TCP was doped with two different binary compositions, 0.25 and 1.0wt.% SrO along with 1.0wt.% MgO. MgO and SrO doping increased the beta phase stability at a sintering temperature of 1250 degrees C and marginally decreased the compressive strength of beta-TCP. An in vitro cell-material interaction study, using human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB), indicated that doped beta-TCP was non-toxic, and MgO/SrO dopants improved cell attachment and growth. beta-TCP implants doped with 1.0wt.% MgO and 1.0wt.% SrO showed good in vivo biocompatibility when tested in male Sprague-Dawley rats for 16 weeks. Histomorphology analysis indicated that MgO/SrO-doped beta-TCP promoted more osteogenesis than pure beta-TCP. In vivo osteocalcin and type I collagen assay also revealed faster bone formation in rats with doped beta-TCP implant compared to rats with pure beta-TCP implant. Low Ca(2+) concentration in the urine of rats with doped beta-TCP implant confirmed slower degradation of MgO/SrO-doped beta-TCP than pure beta-TCP.