Promoting osteoblasts responses in vitro and improving osteointegration in vivo through bioactive coating of nanosilicon nitride on polyetheretherketone

Publication date: Available online 21 November 2019Source: Journal of Orthopaedic TranslationAuthor(s): Yong Dai, Han Guo, Linyang Chu, Zihao He, Minqi Wang, Shuhong Zhang, Xifu ShangAbstractPolyetheretherketone (PEEK) as an implanted biomaterial for bone substitute has become increasingly popular in orthopaedic and dental applications. However, PEEK is a bioinert material which displays no osteoconductivity. In this work, a bioactive coating of nanosilicon nitride (Si3N4, SN) with micro/nano structures on PEEK (CSNPK) was created by a method of suspension coating and melt bonding. The results revealed that surface roughness, hydrophilicity, and protein absorption of CSNPK were obviously improved as compared with PEEK. In addition, Si ions displayed sustained release from the SN coating of CSNPK into simulated body fluid and resulted in weak alkaline microenvironment because of the slight dissolution of SN. Moreover, the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and bone-related gene expressions of MC3T3-E1 cells to CSNPK were remarkably promoted compared with PEEK. Furthermore, the micro–computed tomography and histological evaluations indicated the SN coating of CSNPK obviously stimulated bone regeneration and osseointegration in vivo by using rats' skull defect model. In short, CSNPK with SN coating might be a promising candidate for dental and orthopaedic implants.
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Translation - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research