Chitosan-Oligosaccharide-Bearing Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement: Preparation and Angiogenic Activity In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) offers advantages like ease of use and self-setting but has limitations hindering clinical use.
• Improving CPC properties is a key research area for enhanced bone defect treatment.
• Chitosan oligosaccharide (COSM) is investigated for its potential to promote angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the preparation of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone cement.
• To incorporate chitosan oligosaccharide (COSM) into BCP particles to create a drug-loaded bone substitute.
• To characterize the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the novel COSM-BCP material.

Main Methods:

• Optimized high-temperature solid-state reaction method for BCP preparation.
• Incorporated low molecular weight COSM (≤ 3000 Da) into BCP particles.
• Characterized BCP and COSM-BCP properties including curing time, compressive strength, porosity, and in vitro drug release.
• Evaluated COSM-BCP for safety and preliminary angiogenesis promotion in vitro.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared BCP bone cement carrier with an α-TCP/β-TCP molar ratio of 1.
• COSM-BCP particles exhibited a curing time of 24 ± 1 min, compressive strength of 29.58 ± 1.89 MPa, and 52.09% porosity.
• In vitro studies demonstrated sustained COSM release and promotion of angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• The optimized COSM-BCP bone cement particles possess favorable physical and chemical properties.
• The material demonstrates sustained drug release and a capacity to promote angiogenesis.
• COSM-BCP shows significant potential as a drug-loaded biological bone substitute for clinical applications.