Prolonged Post-Polymerization Biocompatibility of Polymethylmethacrylate-Tri-n-Butylborane (PMMA-TBB) Bone Cement

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based acrylic bone cement is commonly used to fix bone and metallic implants in orthopedic procedures. The polymerization initiator tri-n-butylborane (TBB) has been reported to significantly reduce the cytotoxicity of PMMA-based bone cement compared to benzoyl peroxide (BPO). However, it is unknown whether this benefit is temporary or long-lasting, which is important to establish given that bone cement is expected to remain in situ permanently. Here, we compared the biocompatibility of PMMA-TBB and PMMA-BPO bone cements over several days. Rat femur-derived osteoblasts were seeded onto two commercially-available PMMA-BPO bone cements and experimental PMMA-TBB polymerized for one day, three days, or seven days. Significantly more cells attached to PMMA-TBB bone cement during the initial stages of culture than on both PMMA-BPO cements, regardless of the age of the materials. Proliferative activity and differentiation markers including alkaline phosphatase production, calcium deposition, and osteogenic gene expression were consistently and considerably higher in cells grown on PMMA-TBB than on PMMA-BPO, regardless of cement age. Although osteoblastic phenotypes were more favorable on older specimens for all three cement types, biocompatibility increased between three-day-old and seven-day-old PMMA-BPO specimens, and between one-day-old and three-day-old PMMA-TBB specimens. PMMA-BPO materials produced more free radicals than PMMA-TBB regardless of the age of the material. These data suggest that PMMA-TBB maintains superior biocompatibility over PMMA-BPO bone cements over prolonged periods of at least seven days post-polymerization. This superior biocompatibility can be ascribed to both low baseline cytotoxicity and a further rapid reduction in cytotoxicity, representing a new biological advantage of PMMA-TBB as a novel bone cement material.

Biomimetic Zirconia with Cactus-Inspired Meso-Scale Spikes and Nano-Trabeculae for Enhanced Bone Integration

“…In addition, the initial behavior of osteogenic cells on biomaterial surfaces determines the subsequent activity of proliferation and differentiation. Using methods reported previously [ 14 , 15 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ], we attempted cytomorphometry of osteoblasts on the hybrid-textured zirconia surfaces to examine their attaching and spreading behaviors but failed to capture images due to the unprecedented meso-scale vertical profile of the zirconia surfaces. The crisscrossing laser etching created not only a larger surface area but also unique 3-dimensional features, such as an inverted cone depression, wavy surface, and inclines, whose dimensions were equivalent to or larger than the size of osteoblasts.…”

Alleviation of Oxidative Stress in Dental Pulp Cells Following 4-Hexylresorcinol Administration in a Rat Model

“…LF incorporated titanium disc improves antibacterial and osteoinductive ability of dental implant [30]. Similar approach has been applied for the development of bone cement [31]. According to our previous research [32], 4HR-integrated dental implant improves new bone formation in case of bacterial contamination.…”

Low-Cost Cranioplasty—A Systematic Review of 3D Printing in Medicine

“…Prostheses made with this technique adequately protect the tissues and present a mechanical strength analogous to natural human bone [ 122 ]. In addition, PMMA-based bone cement can be used to stiffen endoprostheses with the patient’s bone [ 204 , 205 ].…”