Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 2014, 2, 36-42
Published Online April 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jbm
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2014.22006
How to cite this paper: Camargo, N.H.A., et al. (2014) In Vivo Preliminary Study on Bone Neoformation Behavior of Three
Types of Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 2, 36-42.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2014.22006
In Vivo Preliminary Study on Bone
Neoformation Behavior of Three Types of
Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics
Nelson H. A. Camargo1, Enori Gemelli1, Aury N. de Moraes2, Bruna D. da Costa2,
Nilson Oleskovicz2, Ademar L. Dallabrida2, Doughlas Regalin2,
Marcos Paulo Antunes de Lima2
1Department Mechanical Engineering, Santa Catarina State University, Joinville, Brazil
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, Santa Catarina State University, Lagres, Brazil
Email: dem2nhac@joinville.udesc.br, bruna_ditzel@yahoo.com.br, a2anm@cav.udesc.br
Received December 2013
Abstract
Calcium phosphate microporous bioceramics and biphasic compositions of hydroxyapatite and
β-calcium phosphate, in the form of microporous granular biomaterials, are research topics and
present themselves as potential orthopedic and biomedical applications in rebuilding and repair-
ing maxillofacial bones and tooth structure. This is associated with the characteristics of micro-
structure, biocompatibility, bioactivity and bone conductivity properties which these materials
offer when applied in vivo or in a simulation environment. This study aimed to assess the behavior
of bone neoformation of three types of calcium phosphate biomaterials in in vivo tests with sheep
within 60 and 90 days, with the help of a scanning electron microscope. The biomaterials used
were provided by the Group of Biomaterials at the Santa Catarina State University. The in vivo
tests were carried out by generating, on sheep, tibial bone defects, three of which were filled with
biomaterial (one different biomaterial for each bone defect generated), whilst the fourth received
a bone fragment obtained during the generation of the defect in question, to serve as a control
group. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was used for carrying out the prelimi-
nary characterization studies so as to observe new bone formation and osseointegration. The
X-ray diffractometry (XRD) served as a support for the characterization of crystalline phases. The
results obtained are encouraging and show that the biomaterials presented good performance in
the process of bone formation, biomaterial osseointegration by a new tissue and bone mineraliza-
tion.
Keywords
Bioceramics; Microstructure; Bone Neoformation; Characterization
1. Introduction
The calcium phosphate bioceramics and hydroxyapatite/b-calcium phosphate compositions are biocompatible
N. H. A. Camargo et al.
37
biomaterials which feature crystallographic similarity with the apatite in teeth and bone tissues, and play a main
role in osteoinduction and osseointegration when applied in vivo [1] [2].
The calcium phosphate bioceramics in microporous blocks or granular form stand out in researches as bioma-
terials for repairing defects in bone tissues, as well as for reconstructing them, which has already been observed
by different authors who carried out in vitro and in vivo tests, observing the good performance of these bioce-
ramics on bone tissue neoformation [3] [4]. This is due to the fact that these biomaterials feature bioactivity, so-
lubility, wettability and interconnected microporous microstructures, high micropore and grain surface area [5]
[6]. These features are promising for adhesion of osteoblastic cells to the surface of granules through intergra-
nular macropores. These microporous microstructures also favor the extension of osteoblastic cells to the inte-
rior of the granular biomaterial's interconnected microporosity, providing better conditions for bone tissue mi-
neralization [5] [6]. These bioceramics are generally manufactured with an architecture composed of macro and
microporosity, which has generated favorable results to the mechanism of cell adhesion and proliferation, thus
contributing to the mechanisms of osteoinduction, repair and reconstruction of bone tissue [7]-[9].
The biomaterials used in this study were obtained with the wet chemical synthesis method, through the disso-
lution/precipitation involving liquid and solid phases of CaO and phosphoric acid solution, necessary for the
formation of the molar Ca/P compositions wanted. Three compositions of microporous granular biomaterials
were used as follows: hydroxyapatite, b-calcium phosphate, and a 60%HA/40%b-TCP biphasic composition.
The in vivo tests were carried out by producing, on sheep, tibial diaphyseal bone defects, which were then
filled by the respective biomaterials used in this study. One of the defects was filled with bone tissue to serve as
a control. The results presented refer to studies of morphological and physical characterization of the biomate-
rials used in the in vivo tests. The characterization was executed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) techniques. The purpose of this study was to validate the biopsy preparation
methodology for carrying out studies of characterization through scanning electron microscopy. The results ob-
tained showed that the methodology used for biopsy preparation and the scanning electron microscopy tech-
nique allow assessment of these biomaterials’ potential for osseointegration and bone tissue neoformation.
2. Experimental Method
In this study, three compositions of microporous granular calcium phosphate biomaterials were used: hydroxya-
patite (HA), b-calcium phosphate (b-TCP) and biphasic 60%HA/40%b-TCP (HA/b-TCP). They were elaborated
in the form of microporous granular biomaterials with sizes of 200 mm < d < 500 mm.
Before the execution of in vivo tests, the project was first submitted to evaluation and approval by the Comitê
de Ética and Bem-Estar Animal—CETEA) at the Santa Catarina State University, under the protocol number
1.29.12, approved for conducting in vivo tests with sheep. The microporous granular biomaterials were carefully
sterilized at 280˚C/2 h, packed, and subsequently used for in vivo tests with applications in sheep tibia.
The microstructural and morphological characterization studies were carried out with the help of a ZEISS
DSM 940A scanning electron microscope, through the secondary electrons (SE) and backscattered electrons
(BSE) system. These studies were carried out based on the microporous granular biomaterials and the biopsies
taken from the in vivo tests with sheep, within 60 and 90 days. To facilitate the work of characterization through
the scanning electron microscopy technique, fragments of biopsies were prepared with an aluminum alloy
disc-shaped sample holder with smooth surface. A double sided carbon ribbon was attached to the disc’s smooth
surface, to which the biopsy fragment was carefully fixed. In order to avoid charging effects inside the micro-
scope chamber, all biopsy fragments were submitted to a sputtering metallization process, with the deposition of
a gold film on the surface of the biopsy fragment. This deposition was performed through a Bal-Tec Sputter
Coater SCD 050 metallizer. The ion deposition parameters were established as follows: 25˚C temperature inside
the metallization chamber, 40 mA current, 2 kV voltage, and 140 second deposition time, supplying a 30 nm
gold film on the surface of the biopsy fragment.
The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) served as a support for the crystallographic characterization of microporous
granular biomaterials. In these studies, a SHIMADZU LabX XRD-6000 X-ray diffractometer with a tube of
copper anticathode was used. The X-ray diffractograms were obtained through the application of a 40 kV vol-
tage and 30 mA current intensity, with scanning angular range of 5˚ to 80˚ and a goniometer speed of 2˚/min at
2q.
The biomaterials hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and 60/40 HA/β-TCP were implanted
N. H. A. Camargo et al.
38
in 6mm-diameter circular defects generated in sheep tibial diaphysis, respecting the same position of defect ap-
plication in all animals.
Eight 12-month-old non-purebred female sheep were used. They had an average weight of 28.5 ± 7.4 Kg and
were demonstrably healthy through clinical, laboratory, and radiographic examination. The animals were pro-
vided with antiparasitary medication, a corn silage-based diet, and ad libitum sheep feed and water. The animals
received preanesthesic medication based on morphine (0.3 mg/Kg) and detomidine (10 mg/Kg), and were in-
duced with a combination of diazepam (0.5 mg/Kg) and ketamine (5 mg/Kg). Maintenance of anesthesia was
obtained with isoflurane diluted in 100% oxygen. Subarachnoid anesthesia was performed with a combination of
levobupivacaine without vasoconstrictor (0.5 mg/Kg) and ketamine (1.25 mg/Kg). Initially, to start the surgery,
the right pelvic limb was aseptically prepared. The access procedure was performed through the medial facet of
the tibia, where the skin was incised, the subcutaneous tissue was divulsioned and the periosteum was incised.
Two right tibial diaphyseal bone defects were generated. The proximal defect was filled with hydroxyapatite
(HA), whilst the distal defect was filled with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The same procedure was per-
formed in the left pelvic limb, whose proximal defect was filled with an HA/β-TCP (60/40) biphasic composi-
tion. The distal defect was filled with a bone fragment removed during the generation of the defect itself, simu-
lating an autologous graft, in order to act as a control group. After the end of the procedure, the animals were
intravenously given 0.6 mg/Kg of meloxicam and 25 mg/Kg of dipyrone. They also received three applications
of antibiotic (20 mg/Kg of tetracycline every 48 hours). The meloxicam was maintained for two more days
postoperatively and, from the second day on, 0.4 mg/Kg doses were applied intramuscularly. Animals also re-
ceived, for three days, intramuscular applications of dipyrone (25 mg/Kg) every eight hours, and tramadol (6
mg/Kg) also every eight hours, as an analgesic supply. No animal presented postoperative complications such as
infection, implant rejection, fractures or suture dehiscence.
The biopsies were first dehydrated in 70% ethyl alcohol for 48 hours and then dehydrated again in absolute
ethanol 100% for 56 hours. Later, they were put in xylene for 2 hours to clean the samples. Posteriorly, they
were immersed once again in absolute ethanol 100% for 24 hours to eliminate the xylene. The biopsies obtained
were fractured in the region where the bone fill was performed and were then prepared for the characterization
studies with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
3. Results and Discussions
The results of morphological and microstructural characterization, obtained with the microporous granular ma-
terials, revealed in their micrographs the morphology of the granules, with irregular shapes and sizes between
200 mm < d < 500 mm, as it can be observed in Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c).
Another observation was the interconnected microporous microstructure of the granular biomaterials, as fea-
tured in the micrographs represented by Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c). By relating the micrographs obtained from
the microporous granular biomaterials' microstructure, it is possible to observe a finer grain morphology, which
indicates that there is greater microporosity in the HA granular biomaterials and biphasic composition, if com-
pared to the b-TCP granular biomaterial.
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 1. (a) Morphology of hydroxyapatite (HA) granular biomaterial; (b) b-TCP; (c) 60%HA/40%b-TCP biphasic granu-
lar biomaterial.
N. H. A. Camargo et al.
39
The results obtained through X-ray diffractometry on the granular biomaterials clearly revealed, in their X-ray
diphratograms, presence of the following phases: hydroxyapatite, b-calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite/
b-calcium phosphate for biphasic composition, as featured in the X-ray diphratograms represented by Figures 3,
4, and 5.
The studies of characterization through scanning electron microscopy were carried out on the biopsy frag-
ments from the in vivo tests within 60 and 90 days, regarding the biomaterials HA, b-TCP and 60%HA/40%b-
TCP biphasic composition. These studies were carried out based on the microporous granular biomaterials and
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 2. (a) Microstructure of HA granular biomaterial; (b) b-TCP granular biomaterial; (c) 60%HA/40%b-TCP biphasic
granular biomaterial.
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
[211]
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Intensity (CPS)
2θ
Figure 3. X-ray diphratogram obtained from HA granular
biomaterial.
10 1520 25 3035 4045 50 5560 65
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Intensity (CPS)
2θ
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Figure 4. X-ray diphratogram obtained from b-TCP gra-
nular biomaterial.
15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
[021] [ 211]
º
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Figure 5. X-ray diphratogram obtained from HA/b-TCP
biphasic granular biomaterial.
N. H. A. Camargo et al.
40
the biopsies taken from the in vivo tests with sheep, within 60 and 90 days. The results revealed, in their micro-
graphs, the presence of well formed bone tissue for the in vivo tests within 60 and 90 days, with better results in
the tests within 90 days. (Figures 6(a), 6(b)) feature the micrographs obtained from the biopsies which con-
tained the hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterial for the test within 60 days. They clearly show good osseointegration
and good quality of interface between biomaterial/neoformed bone tissue. Another observation was the internal
microstructure of the remaining granular biomaterial. It can be clearly observed that there was a surface modifi-
cation in the morphology of the initial biomaterial, if compared to Figure 2(a), a microstructure formed by con-
sistent mass can be now observed, which indicates the presence of formed bone apatite, collagen and proteins
(Figure 6(b)).
The results obtained from the in vivo tests within 90 days, with the hydroxyapatite biomaterial, revealed in
their micrographs better quality of neoformed bone tissue, if compared to the results within 60 days, as illustrated
in Figure 6(c) . There was also good quality of biomaterial/bone tissue interface and modification in the internal
microstructure of the remaining granular biomaterial, which was also observed within 60 days (Figure 6(d)).
The results obtained from the in vivo tests with the b-TCP microporous granular biomaterial, within 60 days,
revealed in their micrographs good bone neoformation, osseointegration and biomaterial/new bone tissue inter-
face (Figures 7(a) and 7(b)). Another observation was a modification in the microporous microstructure of the
biomaterial, which had already been observed in the result obtained with HA. Results obtained from the test
within 90 days revealed good performance by the b-TCP granular biomaterial on the process of osseointegration
and bone neoformation. Another relevant point was the quality of interface between biomaterial, bone tissue
formed and its mineralization (Figur es 7(c), 7(d) ).
The results obtained from the biopsies containing HA/b-TCP biphasic biomaterial, with the in vivo test within
60 days, revealed in their micrographs good performance of mineralization and bone formation (Figure 8(a)).
Good osseointegration and quality of biomaterial/neoformed bone tissue interface were also observed (Figure
8(b)). After observing the results of bone neoformation between the biomaterials within 60 days, it can be said
that the biphasic biomaterial presented superior results regarding bone neoformation. The results obtained within
90 days also revealed in their micrographs good bone formation and osseointegration of the biomaterial by the
new bone tissue formed (Figures 8(c ) and 8(d)).
Bone Tissue
Biomaterial
Inteface
Trabecular
bone
Bone Tissue
Inteface
Biomaterial
Biomaterial
Bone Tissue
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Figure 6. (a) HA biopsy, 60 days, osseointegration; (b) Quality of biomaterial/bone tissue interface; (c) HA biopsy, 90 days,
well formed bone tissue; (d) Quality of biomaterial/bone tissue interface.
Biomaterial
Bone Tissue
Interface
(11a)
Bone
Tissue
Interface
Biomaterial
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Figure 7. (a) b-TCP biopsy, 60 days, bone tissue and osseointegration; (b) Biomaterial/bone tissue interface; (c) b-TCP bi-
opsy, 90 days, osseointegration; (d) Remaining biomaterial/bone tissue interface.
N. H. A. Camargo et al.
41
(11a)
Trabecular
bone
Interface
Biomaterial
Bone
Tissue
Biomaterial
Interface
Biomaterial
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Figure 8. (a) HA/b-TCP biopsy, 60 days, trabecular bone tissue; (b) Osseointegration and interface; (c) HA/b-TCP biopsy,
90 days, osseointegration; (d) Biomaterial/bone tissue interface.
The results from the in vivo tests for the three types of biomaterial evidenced, through the studies with scan-
ning electron microscopy, better results in bone neoformation within 90 days, which is explained by the perma-
nence time of the biomaterial in the animal. Another finding was the presence of remaining biomaterial within
both 60 and 90 days; however, there was presence of greater amount of remaining biomaterial in the results ob-
tained within 60 days. The good quality of osseointegration and of interface between biomaterial and new bone
tissue formed was observed in both times (60 and 90 days). Apparently, the best result of bone neoformation ve-
rified was with the biphasic biomaterials within 90 days. However, in general, it can be said that the three mi-
croporous granular biomaterials of HA, b-TCP and HA/b-TCP presented relevant results of bone neoformation
within 60 and 90 days. This preliminary study of biopsy preparation and the scanning electron microscopy tech-
nique have allowed an assessment of quality in the neoformed bone tissue and the osseointegration of the bio-
material by the new bone tissue formed.
4. Conclusion
The morphological and microstructural characterization clearly showed that the biomaterials are formed by gra-
nules with various shapes and microporous microstructures formed by thin grains. These characteristics are
promising to cell adhesion and proliferation on the surface of grains and micropores, as observed in the results
obtained within 60 and 90 days. The results obtained through X-ray diffractometry evidenced in their diphrato-
grams the respective phases of each biomaterial. The studies on the biopsies clearly showed a good performance
by the biomaterials in the process of bone neoformation and osseointegration. It can be stated that, in this pre-
liminary study, the biphasic biomaterial slightly stood out on bone neoformation and osseointegration. This
could be associated to this biomaterial’s microporosity and better solubility. The preliminary results are encour-
aging and demonstrate that the granular biomaterials are promising as bone substitutes. The method of biopsy
preparation for the studies with scanning electron microscopy has proven to be effective and allowed to reveal
the microstructure of the bone tissue formed and the morphology of the remaining biomaterial.
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