Bioresorption behavior of tetracalcium phosphate-derived calcium phosphate cement implanted in femur of rabbits

One primary focus of the present study was to clarify the crucial resorption-location relationship of a recently developed single-phase TTCP-derived calcium phosphate cement (CPC) implanted in rabbit femur in a systematic and quantitative way. Gross examination of retrieved CPC/bone composite samples indicated that the CPC implant did not evoke inflammatory response, necrosis or fibrous encapsulation in surrounding bony tissues. Histological examination revealed excellent CPC-host bone bonding. At 4 weeks, the resorption-induced voids between terminals of bone defects and implants were largely filled with new bone. CPC resorption, new blood vessels, osteocytes, osteons and osteoblast-like cells lining up with active new bone were observed at remodeling sites. At 12 weeks, a new bone network was developed within femoral defect, while CPC became islands incorporated in the new bone. At this stage, crevices filled with lamellar new bone structure were frequently observed. At 24 weeks, bone ingrowth and remodeling activities became so extensive that the interface between residual cement and new bone became less identifiable. In general, at all implant locations the resorption ratio values increased with implantation time, while at all implantation times the resorption ratios decreased from the exterior (cortical site) to the interior (cancellous site) of implants. At the end of 24 weeks, CPC was almost completely resorbed and bone remodeling almost finished at the cortical site.