Biocompatibility, Osteointegration, Osteoconduction, and Biodegradation of a Hydroxyapatite-polyhydroxybutyrate Composite

In this work, biocompatibility, osteointegration, osteoconductivity, and biodegradation of a hydroxyapatite-polyhydroxybutyrate new composite were evaluated. The composite was implanted in rabbits' bone defects and clinical, radiographic, histological, and histomorphometric data of these animals were compared with those of unfilled defects on the days 8(th), 45(th), and 90(th) after surgery. No significant differences existed between the groups for the evaluated clinical parameters. Radiographs showed bone-composite direct contact. Bone formed within the defect, interface and inside the composite. Significant differences were found between the bone and connective tissues percentage within the defect at all dates and at the interface on the 45(th) day, hone tissue prevailing. Composite's biodegradation signs were evident: giant cells on the surface of composite fragments separated from the original block in the absence of inflammatory infiltrate. These data supported that such composite was biocompatible, biodegradable, osteoconductive and integrate to bone.