Fast setting calcium phosphate-chitosan scaffold: mechanical properties and biocompatibility

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) sets in situ to form hydroxyapatite and is highly promising for a wide range of clinical applications. However, its low strength limits its use to only non-stress applications, and its lack of macroporosity hinders cell infiltration, bone ingrowth and implant fixation. The aim of this study was to develop strong and macroporous CPC scaffolds by incorporating chitosan and water-soluble mannitol, and to examine the biocompatibility of the new graft with an osteoblast cell line and an enzymatic assay. Two-way ANOVA identified significant effects on mechanical properties from chitosan reinforcement and powder:liquid ratio (p<0.001). The flexural strength of CPC-chitosan composite at a powder:liquid ratio of 2 was (13.6±1.2) MPa, which was significantly higher than (3.2±0.6) MPa for CPC control without chitosan (Tukey's at 0.95). At a powder:liquid ratio of 3.5, CPC-chitosan had a strength of (25.3±2.9) MPa, which was significantly higher than (10.4±1.7) MPa for CPC control. The scaffolds possessed total pore volume fractions ranging from 42.0% to 80.0%, and macroporosity up to 65.5%. At total porosities of 52.2-75.2%, the scaffold had strength and elastic modulus values similar to those of sintered porous hydroxyapatite and cancellous bone. Osteoblast mouse cells (MC3T3-E1) were able to adhere, spread and proliferate on CPC-chitosan specimens. The cells, which ranged from about 20 to 50 μm including the cytoplasmic extensions, infiltrated into the 165-271 μm macropores of the scaffold. In summary, substantial reinforcement and macroporosity were imparted to a moldable, fast-setting, biocompatible, and resorbable hydroxyapatite graft. The highly porous scaffold may facilitate bone ingrowth and implant fixation in vivo. In addition, the two to three times increase in strength may help extend the use of CPC to larger repairs in moderately stress-bearing locations.