silicon and Femoral-Fractures

Dopants play critical roles in controlling the physical, mechanical, degradation kinetics, and in vivo properties of calcium phosphates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) dopants on the physico-mechanical and in vivo osteogenesis properties of brushite cements (BrCs) alone and in combination with insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Addition of 0.5 wt% Si did not alter the setting time, β-TCP content, and compressive strength of BrCs significantly; however, 0.25 wt% Zn incorporation was accompanied by a significant decrease in mechanical strength from 4.78 ± 0.21 MPa for pure BrC to 3.78 ± 0.59 MPa and 3.28 ± 0.22 MPa for Zn-BrC and Si/Zn-BrC, respectively. The in vivo bone regeneration properties of doped BrCs alone and in combination with IGF-1 were assessed and compared using chronological radiography, histology, scanning electron microscopy and fluorochrome labeling at 2 and 4 months post implantation in a rabbit femoral defect model. Based on in vivo characterization focusing on osteogenesis and vasculogenesis, Si-BrC and Si/Zn-BrC showed the best performance followed by Zn-BrC and pure BrCs. Addition of IGF-1 further improved bone regeneration. Our findings confirm that addition of Si and/or Zn alters the physico-mechanical properties of BrCs and promotes the early stage in vivo osseointegration and bone remodeling properties.

Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Cements; Bone Remodeling; Calcification, Physiologic; Calcium Phosphates; Compressive Strength; Femoral Fractures; Fluorescent Dyes; Fracture Healing; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Materials Testing; Osteogenesis; Rabbits; Silicon; Time Factors; Zinc

The risk of bone fracture increases with age because of a variety of factors that include, among others, decreasing bone quantity and quality. Despite recent advances, the roles of bone microstructure and trace mineralization in the fracture process are not well understood. In this study, we utilize a combination of in-situ fracture toughness testing, digital strain mapping, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques to characterize the near-tip strain field, fracture toughness, and chemical elements on the fracture surface of bone specimens from donors of two ages (48-year-old and 78-year-old females). We show that age-related embrittlement of bone fracture is associated with higher near-tip strains by lamellar shear and crack deflection at lamellar interfaces in the young bone and their absence in the old bone. The different near-tip deformation behaviors may be associated with the presence of Si and Zn in the young bone but more Ca and P and the lack of Si and Zn in the old bone.

Topics: Aged; Aging; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Density; Calcification, Physiologic; Calcium; Female; Femoral Fractures; Femur; Humans; Middle Aged; Phosphorus; Silicon; Zinc

Topics: Bone Nails; Bone Plates; Calcium; Chromium; Chromium Alloys; Cobalt; Copper; Corrosion; Female; Femoral Fractures; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Iron; Magnesium; Manganese; Middle Aged; Molybdenum; Nickel; Orthopedic Fixation Devices; Silicon; Spectrum Analysis