In vivo behaviors of Ca(OH)₂ activated nano SiO₂ (n_Ca/n_Si = 3) cement in rabbit model

In vivo behaviors of Ca(OH)₂ activated nano SiO₂ (n_Ca/n_Si = 3, TCS) cement were investigated in the rabbit femoral defects using the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as control. The deposited apatite and CaCO₃ layers round TCS paste surfaces were completely used to construct the new bone tissue. TCS paste could stimulate the formation of new bone tissue in marrow tissue. The osteostimulation was mainly attributed to the proliferation and differentiation effects of Ca and Si ions released from TCS paste on the osteoprogenitor cells. However, Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate (C-S-H) gel in TCS paste was harder to degradate than Ca(OH)₂. TCS paste kept the original shape during implantation, and could not provide the pores or spaces for further formation of bone tissue. Osteolytic defects induced by wear particles from TCS paste surface could not be completely avoided, because of the interfacial strain and the extensive micromotion between TCS paste surface and new bone tissue. Overall, our results indicated that Ca(OH)₂ activated nano SiO₂ cement was bioactivity and osteostimulation. The further improvements of Ca(OH)₂ activated nano SiO₂ cement should be done by achieving a balance between biological properties and mechanical performances.