Low ‐melt Bioactive Glass‐reinforced 3D Printing Akermanite Porous Cages with Highly Improved Mechanical Properties for Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Abstract Although great strides have been made in medical technology, low back/neck pain and intervertebral disc degeneration initiated from disc degenerative disease remains a clinical challenge. Within the field of regenerative medicine therapy, we have sought to improve the biomechanical transformation of spinal fusion procedures conducted using biodegradable porous implants. Specifically, we have focused on developing mechanically strong bioceramic cages for spinal fusion and functional recovery. Herein we fabricated the akermanite (AKE) ceramic‐based porous cages using low‐melting bioactive glass (BG) and 3D printing technology. The osteogenic cell adhesion on the cages was evaluated in vitro, and the spinal fusion was tested in the intervertebral disc trauma model. The results indicated that incorporation of 15% or 30% BG into AKE (i.e. AKE/BG15, AKE/BG30) could enhance the compressive strength of bioceramic cages by 2‐ or 5‐fold higher than the pure AKE cages (AKE/BG0). In comparison with porous β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) cages, the surface of AKE/BG15 and AKE/BG30 cages greatly promoted the growth and ALP expression of osteogenic cells. Histological and biomechanical analysis showed that the AKE/BG15 and AKE/BG30 readily stimulated the new bone tissue growth and improved the spinal biomechanics recovery. In the AKE/BG15 and AKE/BG30 cage groups, 4‐6 of the rabbits demonstrated a successful fusion. In contrast, only 0‐1 of the initial seeded AKE/B...
Source: Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research