BASELINE STUDIES ON STRUCTURAL AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY PERFORMANCE OF AN UPGRADED HYDROXYAPATITE (HA-SAL2)

The object of the present study was to supplement Electron Microscopy itemized account and a review of biological aspects of the recently reported upgraded phosphate powder and ceramic (HA-SAL2)¹. The biological tests include : (1)Growth in vitro, on ceramic cells, of cells relevant to osteogenesis. These cells attached and spread well, forming healthy and organized layers in shorter times than on commercial ceramics. (2) Cytokine release determined by incubating in vitro HA-SAL2 powder with human monocytes from healthy donors indicated induction of IL-1β IL-6 release within normal levels. (3) Soft tissue reactions in vivo: powder samples were implanted subcutaneously in rats. Histology of the tissues did not show inflammation or adverse cytotoxicity. (4) mineralization of rat tibial defects implanted with HA-SAL2. The mineral content of the defects, followed by a novel noninvasive DEXA technique showed faster healing than with a commercial implant product.