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Biodegradable intramedullary nails reinforced with carbon and alginate fibers: in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility

Abstract

Background

Commonly, intramedullary nails are made of nondegradable materials, and hence they need to be removed once the bone fracture is healed. We propose a novel composite material consisting of poly-L-lactide matrix modified with carbon and alginate fibers to be used for biodegradable intramedullary fixation. The aim of this study was to make in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility assessments.

Methods

In the in vitro conditions, biocompatibility of biomaterials was compared using normal human osteoblasts. After 3 and 7 days, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation tests were performed, as well as cell morphology and adhesion observations. In the in vivo experiments, Californian rabbits (approx. 9 months old) were used. The composite nails and controls (Kirschner wires) were used for fixation of distal femoral osteotomy. The evaluation was made on the basis of clinical observations, radiographs taken after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks post implantation, and macroscopic and histological observations.

Results

Cell tests indicated that both modifiers had a positive influence on cell viability. Biodegradable composite nails led to bony union when used for fixation of distal diaphysis osteotomy in rabbits. Histological analysis showed that the initial focal necrosis should be fully compensated for by the osteoblast proliferation and trabeculae formation.

Conclusions

Both in vitro and in vivo tests confirmed biocompatibility and potential applicability of novel biodegradable intramedullary nails modified with long carbon and alginate fibers for osteosynthesis of bone epiphysis.

Post author correction

Article Type: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

DOI:10.5301/jabfm.5000370

Authors

Anna Morawska-Chochół, Patrycja Domalik-Pyzik, Elżbieta Menaszek, Jacek Sterna, Wojciech Bielecki, Joanna Bonecka, Maciej Boguń, Jan Chłopek

Article History

Disclosures

Financial support: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Poland (research project no. 4575/B/T02/2009/37).
Conflict of interest: None of the authors has any financial interest related to this study to disclose.

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Authors

Affiliations

  • Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków - Poland
  • Department of Cytobiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, UJ Jagiellonian University, Kraków - Poland
  • Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warsaw - Poland
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warsaw - Poland
  • Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Faculty of Material Technologies and Textile Design, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź - Poland

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