Antibacterial and biocompatible properties of vancomycin-loaded nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/poly (lactic acid) bone substitute

Infected bone defects are normally regarded as contraindications for bone grafting. In the present study, an antibacterial bone graft substitute was synthesized by loading vancomycin (VCM) in our previously developed mineralized collagen based composite, nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/poly (lactic acid) (nHAC/PLA), aiming to repair large size bone defects and inhibit related infections simultaneously. The VCM/nHAC/PLA showed typical porous structure with a porosity of (80.7±6.7)% and compressive strength of 1.52 MPa. The delivery of VCM from VCM/nHAC/PLA was detected in vitro for up to 4 weeks. And their antibacterial properties were determined using inhibition ratio assay and inhibition zone assay. Pretty high level of inhibition ratio (more than 99%) was obtained in VCM/nHAC/PLA group. Additionally, a distinct inhibition zone was clearly formed in Staphylococcus aureus bacterium incubation dish with VCM/nHAC/PLA disc for up to 18 days of incubation. Moreover, both of the nHAC/PLA composites with or without VCM exhibited favorable in vitro and in vivo biocompatibilities for rabbit marrow stromal cells (MSCs) adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and triggering no obvious inflammation responses in subcutaneous implantation. Our results suggested that the VCM/nHAC/PLA performed ideal antibacterial property and biocompatibility and has great promise for the treatment of bone defect-related infections in orthopedic surgeries.