Gelatine microbubble as bioactive porogen in calcium phosphate cement

Abstract

The objective of this study was to prepare instant macroporous calcium phosphate cement (CPC) with enhanced degradation rate and improved initial cell adhesion by simply incorporating lab-made gelatine microbubble (Gel MB) as dry porogen into the cement. From the study, it was found that viscosity of the cement paste was a key parameter to produce small or large macropores in the cements. Pore size was also determined by microbubble size, which was originally controlled by gelatine concentration in a bubble fabrication process. CPC with high porosity (60%) and acceptable cement setting time could be obtained from the study by incorporating 10 wt.% gelatine into the cement. Greater number of MC3T3-cells were found on the surface of the Gel MB loaded CPCs. The increase of initial cell adhesion may be attributed to protein molecules adhered on the cement surface and increase of surface roughness after porogen disintegration. In sum, a one-step composite cement paste production, proposed in the study, may be applicable for fabricating rapid macropores in CPCs with improved cell adhesion for bone tissue engineering applications.