Influence of a cellulosic ether carrier on the structure of biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic particles in an injectable composite material

An injectable composite material based on biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and a nonionic cellulose ether has been elaborated for use in percutaneous surgery for spine fusion. This paper reports the characterization results of this material by spectroscopic techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fitted with an energy dispersive X-Ray analysis system and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). From FTIR and XPS results, it was observed that the adhesion between the polymer and the ceramic might be insured by oxygen bridging developed through an ionic bonding between calcium ions and (C-O) groups of the polymer. Moreover, XPS showed attraction of Ca2+ ions in the polymer matrix, while the ceramic surface was modified in a HPO4(2-) -rich layer. These results suggest a possible dissolution/precipitation process at the interface ceramic/polymer. HR-TEM observations supported this hypothesis, showing a light contrasted fringe at the surface of the ceramic grains in the composite paste. As well, changes in the XRD spectra could indicate a small decrease in the crystal size of the BCP powder through the contact to polymer solution. In addition, SEM observation showed a decrease of the initial BCP granulometry. Aggregates of 80-200 microm seemed to be mostly dissociated in micrograins. The ceramic grains were coated with and bonded between each other by the polymer matrix, which acted as spacer in between the ceramic grains, creating a macroporous-like material structure.     

Ready-to-use injectable calcium phosphate bone cement paste as drug carrier

Current developments in calcium phosphate cement (CPC) technology concern the use of ready-to-use injectable cement pastes by dispersing the cement powder in a water-miscible solvent, such that, after injection into the physiological environment, setting of cements occurs by diffusion of water into the cement paste. It has also been demonstrated recently that the combination of a water-immiscible carrier liquid combined with suitable surfactants facilitates a discontinuous liquid exchange in CPC, enabling the cement setting reaction to take place. This paper reports on the use of these novel cement paste formulations as a controlled release system of antibiotics (gentamicin, vancomycin). Cement pastes were applied either as a one-component material, in which the solid drugs were physically dispersed, or as a two-component system, where the drugs were dissolved in an aqueous phase that was homogeneously mixed with the cement paste using a static mixing device during injection. Drug release profiles of both antibiotics from pre-mixed one- and two-component cements were characterized by an initial burst release of ～7–28%, followed by a typical square root of time release kinetic for vancomycin. Gentamicin release rates also decreased during the first days of the release study, but after ～1 week, the release rates were more or less constant over a period of several weeks. This anomalous release kinetic was attributed to participation of the sulfate counter ion in the cement setting reaction altering the drug solubility. The drug-loaded cement pastes showed high antimicrobial potency against Staphylococcus aureus in an agar diffusion test regime, while other cement properties such as mechanical performance or phase composition after setting were only marginally affected.     

Beta-tricalcium phosphate particles as a controlled release carrier of osteogenic proteins for bone tissue engineering

Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has been widely used as bone substitutes and delivery carriers of osteogenic proteins. However, low protein carrying capacity and agent burst release profiles of β-TCP limit their usage. This study investigates strategies to enhance protein carrying capacity of β-TCP particles with reduced initial burst by surface etching in citric acid solution or by creating apatite coatings with the simulate body fluid immersion approach. The release kinetics of protein from the modified β-TCP particles was investigated using Nel-like molecule-1 (Nell-1), a novel osteogenic protein, as a model protein. Although chemical etching treatments reduced the initial burst release of protein from the particles, a rapid burst release was observed with high protein dose. In contrast, the burst release of protein was significantly reduced by the apatite coating and a high protein dose was successfully delivered over a prolonged period from the apatite-coated particles. Protein release was further modulated by simultaneously delivering proteins from two different substrates: acid-etched and apatite-coated particles. The bioactivity of the protein was preserved during the loading procedure onto the particles. In addition, protein-loaded particles maintained biological activity in the lyophilized state over 4 weeks. These findings suggest that the protein carrying capacity of β-TCP can be modulated by surface modification, which has a potential for use as a protein carrier with controlled release.     

Preparation of beta-tricalcium phosphate microsphere-hyaluronic acid-based powder gel composite as a carrier for rhBMP-2 injection and evaluation using long bone segmental defect model

The specific objective of this study was to evaluate whether rhBMP-2-loaded bio-scaffolds can be used as effective rhBMP-2 carriers in the implantation of bone defect sites or poor bone quality in host bone. The rhBMP-2 release pattern test showed slow results in both groups, and a 1:9 ratio composition with a high water-absorption rate was selected for in vivo study. All animals euthanized after 9 weeks. The new bone formation and bone quantity and quality of fibular samples were examined. The results showed that the rhBMP-2 powder gel composite improved the new bone formation in the cortical bone and the marrow space. The length of new bone formation ratio of the rhBMP-2 loaded composite group was significantly higher than the powder gel group. The composite of powder gel seems to be a nice carrier, and slow release of rhBMP-2 can promote new bone formation in a segmental cortical bone defect after implantation.     

Carvable calcium phosphate bone substitute material

This study investigated the use of partially set hydroxyapatite forming calcium phosphate cement as a carvable and mechanically stable bone substitute material. Hydroxyapatite-forming cements were made of either mechanically activated alpha-tricalcium phosphate or a mixture of tetracalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and setting was arrested up to 4 h post setting. The study showed that these partially set rigid samples of defined geometry could be carved into a desired shape when the degree of reaction was 30-40% and the relative porosity between 40 and 50%; samples are then expected to set completely after implantation in the presence of water or serum, having the same compressive strength as a continuously set calcium phosphate cement (up to 36 MPa). The development of compressive strength, phase composition, and crystallinity when varying production parameters of these partially "preset" bone substitute materials are presented for both cement systems.     

磷酸钙人工骨修复骨缺损的研究进展

继发于各类病因的大段骨缺损通常需要人工骨材料进行修复,目前常用的人工骨材料包括磷酸钙和硫酸钙基人工骨、生物活性玻璃等,以磷酸钙为主要成分的人工骨,复合其他一种或多种材料以期改善人工骨的性能是目前的研究热点。本文将总结以磷酸钙为基质的各类复合材料,包括与聚合物复合的磷酸钙材料、以磷酸钙为基质的合金材料、药物缓释材料以及骨组织工程材料在骨缺损修复中的研究进展,为以磷酸钙为基质新材料的研究奠定基础。     

Human bone marrow stem cell-encapsulating calcium phosphate scaffolds for bone repair

Due to its injectability and excellent osteoconductivity, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is highly promising for orthopedic applications. However, a literature search revealed no report on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) encapsulation in CPC for bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to encapsulate hBMSCs in alginate hydrogel beads and then incorporate them into CPC, CPC–chitosan and CPC–chitosan–fiber scaffolds. Chitosan and degradable fibers were used to mechanically reinforce the scaffolds. After 21 days, that the percentage of live cells and the cell density of hBMSCs inside CPC-based constructs matched those in alginate without CPC, indicating that the CPC setting reaction did not harm the hBMSCs. Alkaline phosphate activity increased by 8-fold after 14 days. Mineral staining, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed that apatitic mineral was deposited by the cells. The amount of hBMSC-synthesized mineral in CPC–chitosan–fiber matched that in CPC without chitosan and fibers. Hence, adding chitosan and fibers, which reinforced the CPC, did not compromise hBMSC osteodifferentiation and mineral synthesis. In conclusion, hBMSCs were encapsulated in CPC and CPC–chitosan–fiber scaffolds for the first time. The encapsulated cells remained viable, osteodifferentiated and synthesized bone minerals. These self-setting, hBMSC-encapsulating CPC-based constructs may be promising for bone tissue engineering applications.     

自体骨髓间充质干细胞载体复合物修复骨缺损的组织学观察

背景：在骨缺损修复过程中,从修复质量、免疫排斥和疾病传播等多方面来衡量,自体骨都是最佳的选择,但来源有限且取骨区可能产生并发症,给骨缺损的修补及自体骨移植临床应用带来了很大局限。 目的：以含自体骨髓间充质干细胞脱钙骨载体复合支架材料植入骨缺损的同时,向植入处微环境内添加碱性成纤维细胞生长因子等因素,从而达到增强骨修复能力,改进修复效果的目的。 方法：选择3月龄新西兰大耳白兔45只,建立双侧前臂桡骨中下段骨-骨膜缺损模型,然后将实验兔等分为3组：实验组、对照组和空白组,均于左侧髂骨和股骨转子处抽取骨髓,分离培养扩增骨髓间充质干细胞后,与不同材料体外复合,植入兔桡骨干10 mm缺损处。实验组兔缺损处植入骨髓间充质干细胞、脱钙骨、藻酸钙、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、维生素C;对照组兔缺损处植入骨髓间充质干细胞、脱钙骨、藻酸钙;空白组兔双侧缺损处均不植入任何材料,自然愈合。 结果与结论：植入后30,60,90 d各组之间组织学检查新骨生成速度、生成量差异均有显著性意义。实验组兔缺损修复部位骨痂和移植物化骨及材料降解明显快于对照组和空白组;但对照组和空白组兔缺损修复部位残存物明显多于实验组。实验组兔骨缺损以多点方式直接成骨,对照组和空白组则从两端以“爬行替代”方式成骨。空白组兔自然愈合后90 d骨缺损均无愈合。说明植入体外培养移植物的同时向该植入微环境添加碱性成纤维细胞生长因子和维生素C等有利骨修复,提高骨损伤的愈合。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

Combination of platelet-rich plasma with polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds for segmental bone defect repair

Porous scaffold biomaterials may offer a clinical alternative to bone grafts; however, scaffolds alone are typically insufficient to heal large bone defects. Numerous studies have demonstrated that osteoinductive growth factor or gene delivery significantly improves bone repair. However, given the important role of vascularization during bone regeneration, it may also be beneficial to incorporate factors that promote vascular ingrowth into constructs. In this study, a strategy combining structural polycaprolactone-20% tricalcium phosphate (PCL-TCP) composite scaffolds with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was tested. Following bilateral implantation of constructs into 8 mm rat nonunion femoral defects, 3D vascular and bone ingrowth were quantified at 3 and 12 weeks using contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) imaging. At week 3, PRP-treated femurs displayed 70.3% higher vascular volume fraction than control femurs. Interestingly, bone volume fraction (BVF) was significantly higher for the empty scaffold group at the early time point. At 12 weeks, BVF measurements between the two groups were statistically equivalent. However, a greater proportion of PRP-treated femurs (83%) achieved bone union as compared to empty scaffold controls (33%). Consistent with this observation, biomechanical evaluation of functional integration also revealed a significantly higher torsional stiffness observed for PRP-treated defects compared to empty scaffolds. Ultimate torque at failure was not improved, however, perhaps due to the slow resorption profile of the scaffold material. Histological evaluation illustrated infiltration of vascularized connective tissue and bone in both groups. Given that bone ingrowth into untreated defects in this model is minimal, PCL-TCP scaffolds were clearly able to promote bone ingrowth but failed to consistently bridge the defect. The addition of PRP to PCL-TCP scaffolds accelerated early vascular ingrowth and improved longer-term functional integration. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the use of PRP, alone or in combination with other bioactive components, may be an effective approach to augment the ability of porous biomaterial scaffolds to repair orthotopic defects.     

川续断复合磷酸钙骨修复骨缺损

背景：复合磷酸钙骨植入材料的物理结构和无机成分与人体骨相似,具有良好的生物可吸收性和生物相容性。研究证实续断细粉能明显提高骨缺损修复速度。 目的：观察川续断复合磷酸钙骨复合植入材料修复骨缺损的效果。 方法：在新西兰大白兔双侧下颌骨体部制备长约1.0 cm、宽约0.5 cm、深约0.3 cm的骨缺损,右侧植入川续断复合磷酸钙材料作为实验组,左侧植入磷酸钙骨材料作为对照组。植入后4,8,12周取材,进行大体观察、CBCT检测、扫描电镜、组织学观察。 结果与结论：①大体观察：实验组成骨速度、材料降解率及硬度高于对照组。②CBCT检测：实验组材料与周围组织结合紧密度强于对照组,且材料降解速度快于对照组。③扫描电镜：两组材料与周围正常骨组织间大多由纤维结缔组织充盈,实验组比对照组更为紧密,空隙更加微小,随着时间的增加,材料与周围正常骨组织的结合更为紧密。④组织学观察：实验组成骨速度及成骨活性优于对照组。表明川续断复合磷酸钙骨植入材料具有明显加速成骨的作用。     

Light-curable polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite glue for bone defect treatment

Light-curable, methacrylate-based resins are clinically used for complex defect repair in dentistry (Heliobond®). The present study investigates how such easy-to-apply polymers may be used on a much broader range of applications, particularly for gluing wet bone. We investigate the significantly improved adhesion of the polymer to wet bone surfaces in a close to in vivo setup using freshly cut cow hip bone as a model. The use of a reactive filler (20 wt.% amorphous, glassy calcium phosphate nanoparticles, a-CaP) allows for combination of the properties of the polymer (strength; light-curing) and the reactive filler (recrystallization of amorphous CaP to hydroxyapatite within minutes). This filler alone has been earlier suggested for use as an injectable bone cement since it reacts under in vivo conditions within 10–15 min. Our study transfers this reactivity into a composite, thus using the reactive CaP phase to establish an improved adhesion of the composite to wet bone surfaces. Additional in vitro bioactivity tests, compressive and tensile strength suggest use of such light-curable nanocomposites for complex-shaped load-bearing implant materials and fracture repair.     

Reconstruction of alveolar bone defect by calcium phosphate compounds

Osteoconductivity of newly developed calcium phosphate cements (CP-1, CP-2) was estimated in mandibular periapical alveolar bone of rats. The powder phase of CP-1 was an equimolar mixture of tetracalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and that of CP-2 was alpha-tricalcium phosphate. The liquid phase of CP-1 and CP-2 was a solution containing tannic acid and citric acid. CP-1, CP-2, an apatitic sealer (ARS), or a zinc oxide eugenol sealer (ZOE) was respectively applied in the mechanically injured periapical regions through the root canals of both mandibular first molars of 15 rats. A further 15 rats were used as controls with no material in the region. The results of histopathological examination at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after operation were analyzed by the chi(2) test (95% confidence level). At 1 week, foreign-body giant cells were observed around CP-1 and CP-2, but not around ARS or ZOE. Congestion of small blood vessels was seen in bone defect areas of the controls. After 5 weeks, statistically significant bone reconstruction was induced by application of CP-1 (80.0%), CP-2 (90.0%) compared with ARS (33.3%). Fibrous scaring was seen in the controls. It is concluded that resolvability of CP-1 and CP-2 should contribute to osseous healing.     

Tantalumpentoxide as a radiopacifier in injectable calcium phosphate cements for bone substitution

The chemical resemblance of calcium phosphate (CaP) cements and the mineral phase of bone is a problem in distinguishing CaP cement from bone tissue by means of common, noninvasive techniques (e.g., X-ray imaging and microcomputed tomography [μCT]). In this study, the feasibility of using tantalumpentoxide (Ta(2)O(5)) powder as radiopacifier in CaP cements was analyzed. A distal femoral condyle model in male adult Wistar rats was used. After 6 weeks of implantation time, the results were analyzed by means of μCT and histology. Unambiguous distinction of CaP cement from native bone tissue and volumetric measurements of the materials appeared to be possible by means of μCT scanning. Furthermore, there was no evidence of either inflammation or fibrous tissue around the implant materials or at the bone-material interface. In conclusion, the addition of Ta(2)O(5) as a radiopacifying additive to CaP cements allows discrimination between bone substitute and surrounding bone tissue. Consequently, Ta(2)O(5) represents an effective and biocompatible additive in CaP cements for in vivo monitoring purposes.     

Vertebroplasty using bisphosphonate-loaded calcium phosphate cement in a standardized vertebral body bone defect in an osteoporotic sheep model

In the context of bone regeneration in an osteoporotic environment, the present study describes the development of an approach based on the use of calcium phosphate (CaP) bone substitutes that can promote new bone formation and locally deliver in situ bisphosphonate (BP) directly at the implantation site. The formulation of a CaP material has been optimized by designing an injectable apatitic cement that (i) hardens in situ despite the presence of BP and (ii) provides immediate mechanical properties adapted to clinical applications in an osteoporotic environment. We developed a large animal model for simulating lumbar vertebroplasty through a two-level lateral corpectomy on L3 and L4 vertebrae presenting a standardized osteopenic bone defect that was filled with cements. Both 2-D and 3-D analysis of microarchitectural parameters demonstrated that implantation of BP-loaded cement in such vertebral defects positively influenced the microarchitecture of the adjacent trabecular bone. This biological effect was dependent on the distance from the implant, emphasizing the in situ effect of the BP and its release from the cement. As a drug device combination, this BP-containing apatitic cement shows good promise as a local approach for the prevention of osteoporotic vertebral fractures through percutaneous vertebroplasty procedures.     

Injectable calcium phosphate scaffold and bone marrow graft for bone reconstruction in irradiated areas: an experimental study in rats

The purpose of this study was to assess the possibilities for bone reconstruction of an injectable calcium phosphate scaffold (ICPS) associated with a bone marrow (BM) graft after irradiation in a rat model. External irradiation was delivered to 12 out of 27 inbred rats. Three weeks later, four osseous defects were created per animal and were kept empty or filled with either ICPS alone, BM graft alone or with a mixture of BM and ICPS. Three weeks after implantation, bone specimens were studied under light microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. Filling irradiated defects with ICPS alone was not accompanied by the formation of new bone. The BM graft associated with ICPS significantly increased ceramic degradation (p<0.01) and bone ingrowth (p<0.01) in the irradiated areas. The results are evidence for the meaning of the BM in driving the bone repair in irradiated animals.     

复合磷酸钙陶瓷人工骨

磷酸钙陶瓷因具有良好的生物相容性和骨传导作用而成为人工骨的常用材料 ,但是 ,它们本身无骨诱导作用。将具有骨诱导作用的物质如 BMP、骨髓、生长因子等与磷酸钙陶瓷复合 ,可以克服磷酸钙陶瓷无骨诱导作用的缺陷     

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and calcium sulphate as biodegradable composite carrier material for local delivery of antibiotics in bone infections

The use of polymethylmetacrylate beads for local delivery of antibiotics requires a second surgical procedure for their removal and resorbable calcium sulphate exhibits cytotoxic effects. In this work, a bioresorbable composite of calcium sulphate and nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite (PerOssal was studied regarding its antibiotic release properties and biocompatibility. Material characteristics of plain PerOssal and pure calcium sulphate pellets were studied using scanning and electron microscopy and X-ray methods. Pellets were soaked with gentamicin and vancomycin, respectively. Release properties of both antibiotics from both materials were investigated over 10 days. Quantitative and qualitative cytotoxic assays were performed for biocompatibility testing. Specific surface was 106 m(2)/g for PerOssal and 2.2 m(2)/g for pure calcium sulphate. Almost complete elution of gentamicin was found for both carrier materials (94.7% for PerOssal vs. 95.8% for calcium sulphate) within 10 days, whereas vancomycin release was higher for PerOssal (96.3% vs. 74.8%). PerOssal showed higher initial and lower release after approximately 5 days compared to calcium sulphate. No significant in vitro cytotoxic differences were found between PerOssal and nontoxic cell culture medium. Calcium sulphate showed cytotoxic effects in two out of four tests. PerOssal exhibits excellent properties regarding resorption, biocompatibility, and antibiotic release.     

Magnesium modification of a calcium phosphate cement alters bone marrow stromal cell behavior via an integrin-mediated mechanism

The chemical composition, structure and surface characteristics of biomaterials/scaffold can affect the adsorption of proteins, and this in turn influences the subsequent cellular response and tissue regeneration. With magnesium/calcium phosphate cements (MCPC) as model, the effects of magnesium (Mg) on the initial adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as well as the underlying mechanism were investigated. A series of MCPCs with different magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) content (0∼20%) in calcium phosphate cement (CPC) were synthesized. MCPCs with moderate proportion of MPC (5% and 10%, referred to as 5MCPC and 10MCPC) were found to effectively modulate the orientation of the adsorbed fibronectin (Fn) to exhibit enhanced receptor binding affinity, and to up-regulate integrin α5β1 expression of BMSCs, especially for 5MCPC. As a result, the attachment, morphology, focal adhesion formation, actin filaments assembly and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on 5MCPC were strongly enhanced. Further in vivo experiments confirmed that 5MCPC induced promoted osteogenesis in comparison to ot her CPC/MCPCs. Our results also suggested that the Mg on the underlying substrates but not the dissolved Mg ions was the main contributor to the above positive effects. Based on these results, it can be inferred that the specific interaction of Fn and integrin α5β1 had predominant effect on the MCPC-induced enhanced cellular response of BMSCs. These results provide a new strategy to regulate BMSCs adhesion and osteogenic differentiation by adjusting the Mg/Ca content and distribution in CPC, guiding the development of osteoinductive scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.     

骨诱导性磷酸钙陶瓷为支架的组织工程骨修复狗下颌骨箱状缺损*☆◆

背景：应用不外加生长因子或细胞而具有骨诱导性的生物材料,在非骨部位构建骨移植物,即体内组织工程骨,其在修复箱状及节段性骨缺损方面,具有更可行的前景。 目的：采用骨诱导性钙磷陶瓷材料构建体内组织工程化类骨移植物,探索其应用于修复实验动物下颌骨箱状骨缺损的可行性。 方法：以骨诱导性磷酸钙陶瓷材料为支架植入狗肌肉内构建体内组织工程骨,同期在狗自体下颌骨左右两侧各拔除牙弓中段牙2颗,形成约20 mm无牙区。8周后在无牙区形成箱状缺损,同期取出支架即刻移植入一侧自体下颌骨缺损区,对侧骨缺损区直接移植入未经体内构建的磷酸钙陶瓷作为对照。 结果与结论：经肌肉内构建的体内组织工程骨移植物的力学性能较单纯磷酸钙陶瓷有明显提高。颌骨缺损区的核吸收强度明显强于对照区,其移植物内长入的骨组织较多,两者的成骨面积差异有非常显著性意义(P < 0.01)。说明在修复颌骨大范围缺损中,体内组织工程骨移植物较单纯骨磷酸钙陶瓷替代材料表现出明显的力学和生物学优势,修复效果显著,有良好的应用前景。关键词：骨诱导性磷酸钙陶瓷;体内组织工程骨;骨缺损;支架;组织工程 缩略语注释：BCP：biphasic calcium phosphate,双相磷酸钙 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.16.001     

Long-term evaluation of a calcium phosphate bone cement with carboxymethyl cellulose in a vertebral defect model

We investigated histological and compressive properties of a calcium phosphate bone cement (BoneSource (CPC); Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey) plus carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using a sheep vertebral bone void model. Bone voids were surgically created in L3 and L5 in each of 40 sheep, and the voids were filled with the cement. Histological and radiographic evaluations were performed on one vertebral body from each animal at either: 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 36 months after surgery; mechanical testing was performed on operated and non-operated vertebral bodies from 35 sheep. Undecalcified sections were digitized, and the area of the original defect, new bone formation, empty space, fibrous tissue, and residual cement were quantified with histomorphometry. Decalcified sections were evaluated qualitatively. The cement was biocompatible, extremely osteoconductive and underwent steady resorption and replacement by bone and bone marrow. Histomorphometry showed variations in the rate of cement remodeling among animals in each time group, but on average, at 36 months the original defect area was occupied by approximately 14% bone, 82% cement, and 4% bone marrow. Even in animals that had greater resorption of cement, there was good bone ingrowth with no fibrous tissue. Compressive testing did not reveal a significant difference in the mechanical properties between vertebral bodies augmented with cement and non-augmented controls, irrespective of the postoperative time. BoneSource mixed with CMC had adequate osteoconductivity, biocompatibility, and adequate compressive strength. There was variability among animals, but histology suggests that considerable cement was still present in most samples after 36 months.