University of Oulu

Lu M, Xu S, Lei ZX, Lu D, Cao W, Huttula M, Hou CH, Du SH, Chen W, Dai SW, Li HM, Jin DD. Application of a novel porous tantalum implant in rabbit anterior lumbar spine fusion model: in vitro and in vivo experiments. Chin Med J 2018;00:00–00. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000030

Application of a novel porous tantalum implant in rabbit anterior lumbar spine fusion model : in vitro and in vivo experiments

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Author: Lu, Ming1,2; Xu, Song3; Lei, Zi-Xiong1,2;
Organizations: 1Department of Orthopedic, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
2Academy of Orthopaedics of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
3Department of Arthroplasty, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
4Ning Xia Orient Tantalum Industry Co. Ltd, Shizuishan, Ningxia 753000, China
5Department of Physics, University of Oulu, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
Format: article
Version: published version
Access: open
Online Access: PDF Full Text (PDF, 3.3 MB)
Persistent link: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe2019100931979
Language: English
Published: Wolters Kluwer, 2019
Publish Date: 2019-10-09
Description:

Abstract

Background: Some porous materials have been developed to enhance biologic fusion of the implants to bone in spine fusion surgeries. However, there are several inherent limitations. In this study, a novel biomedical porous tantalum was applied to in vitroand in vivo experiments to test its biocompatibility and osteocompatibility.

Methods: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured on porous tantalum implant. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay were used to evaluate the cell toxicity and biocompatibility. Twenty-four rabbits were performed discectomy only (control group), discectomy with autologous bone implanted (autograft group), and discectomy with porous tantalum implanted (tantalum group) at 3 levels: L3–L4, L4–L5, and L5–L6 in random order. All the 24 rabbits were randomly sacrificed at the different post-operative times (2, 4, 6, and 12 months; n=6 at each time point). Histologic examination and micro-computed tomography scans were done to evaluate the fusion process. Comparison of fusion index scores between groups was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Other comparisons of numerical variables between groups were made by Student t test.

Results: All rabbits survived and recovered without any symptoms of nerve injury. Radiographic fusion index scores at 12 months post-operatively between autograft and tantalum groups showed no significant difference (2.89±0.32 vs. 2.83±0.38, F=244.60, P=0.709). Cell Counting Kit-8 assay showed no significant difference of absorbance values between the leaching liquor group and control group (1.25±0.06 vs. 1.23±0.04, t=–0.644, P=0.545), which indicated the BMSC proliferation without toxicity. SEM images showed that these cells had irregular shapes with long spindles adhered to the surface of tantalum implant. No implant degradation, wear debris, or osteolysis was observed. Histologic results showed solid fusion in the porous tantalum and autologousbone implanted intervertebral spaces.

Conclusion: This novel porous tantalum implant showed a good biocompatibility and osteocompatibility, which could be a valid biomaterial for interbody fusion cages.

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Series: Chinese medical journal
ISSN: 0366-6999
ISSN-L: 0366-6999
Volume: 132
Issue: 1
Pages: 51 - 62
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000030
OADOI: https://oadoi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000000030
Type of Publication: A1 Journal article – refereed
Field of Science: 318 Medical biotechnology
114 Physical sciences
Subjects:
Funding: This work was supported by a grant from Guangdong Province Science and Technology Plan Project (No. 2011A090200099).
Copyright information: © 2019 Chinese Medical Association. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/