Magnesium-calcium/hydroxyapatite (Mg-Ca/HA) composites with enhanced bone differentiation properties for orthopedic applications

• Mg-1Ca/HA composites containing 5, 10 and 15 wt% of HA were formed.
• Apatite and α-Mg phases were detected in the Mg-1Ca/HA composites.
• Mg-1Ca/10HA composite showed better enhancement in bone differentiation markers.

Mg-1Ca/HA composites were produced by blending magnesium-calcium (1 wt%) (Mg-1Ca) alloys with 5, 10 and 15 wt% of hydroxyapatite (HA). Morphology, elemental and phase composition of Mg-1Ca/HA composites were examined. Biocompatibility assessments were also performed using an indirect contact method by culturing human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) in the extracts of Mg-1Ca alloy, Mg-1Ca/HA composites and Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium. Mg-1Ca/HA composites could promote cell proliferation and at the same time, enhanced collagen type I (COL I) and osteocalcin (OCN) expressions of hASCs. Among the Mg-1Ca/HA composites, 10 wt% of HA is the optimum amount to be added into Mg-1Ca alloy for enhanced bioactivity, thus emerging as a potential biomaterial for orthopedic fixation.