Application of a novel porous tantalum implant in rabbit anterior lumbar spine fusion model: in vitro and in vivo experiments.
10.1097/CM9.0000000000000030
- Author:
Ming LU
1
;
Song XU
2
;
Zi-Xiong LEI
1
;
Dong LU
3
;
Wei CAO
4
;
Marko HUTTULA
4
;
Chang-He HOU
1
;
Shao-Hua DU
1
;
Wei CHEN
1
;
Shuang-Wu DAI
1
;
Hao-Miao LI
1
;
Da-Di JIN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
2. Department of Arthroplasty, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
3. Ning Xia Orient Tantalum Industry Co. Ltd, Shizuishan, Ningxia 753000, China.
4. Department of Physics, University of Oulu, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Cell Proliferation;
physiology;
Diskectomy;
Lumbar Vertebrae;
surgery;
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning;
Prostheses and Implants;
Rabbits;
Spinal Fusion;
Tantalum;
chemistry
- From:
Chinese Medical Journal
2019;132(1):51-62
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
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 vitro and 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 autologous bone 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.
