Scanning electron microscopy analysis of changes of hydroxiapatite/poly-l-lactide with different molecular weight of PLLA after intraperitoneal implantation

Abstract

Implantation of a biomaterial is one of the important trends in solving the problem of bone tissue loss. Calcium hydroxiapatite (HAp), as the most representative bone component is a serious candidate for such implantations. The synthetic polymer poly-L-lactide (PLLA) in HAp/PLLA is often used as a polymeric material, with a role in the substitution of bone tissue collagen fibers. Fibers of PLLA may strengthen HAp and its good bioresorption provides space for tissue remodeling. Differences in porosity, microstructure, compressive consistency as well as bioresorbility of HAp/PLLA may be achieved by using PLLA with different molecular weights. In this study HAp/PLLA composites with PLLA of different molecular weights (50,000; 160,000 and 430,000) were implanted in mouse peritoneum in order to examine the influence of the molecular weight of PLLA on morphology changes. Microstructural changes of biomaterial (HAp/PLLA) surface were analyzed one week, three weeks and four months after their implantation using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results showed a significant difference in tissue reactions on the applied biocomposites, depending on their molecular weight. The most intense proliferation of cells was induced by HAp/PLLA 50,000 compared to HAp/PLLA 430,000 and HAp/PLLA 160,000. In the vicinity of HAp/PLLA 430,000 abundant erythrocytes were observed. The differences in biological reactions on the examined biocomposites are significant for their practical applications. HAp/PLLA composite biomaterials of different types and resorption rates require specific designing and programming to become suitable for particular purposes in an organism.