Abstract:Bioactive ceramic scaffolds HA·TCP, aimed to be applied in clinic, were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo models. HA·TCP was supposed as a completely biodegradable material and designed as a scaffold to be used for bone reconstruction or regeneration. Materials processing was proposed and physical properties as well as microstructure feature were characterized. Biological postulation of the relationship between seeding density and proliferation, and viability of human osteoblasts cultured on the porous HA·TCP were quantitatively measured. Bone reconstruction was investigated both in vitro and in vivo by using these biodegradable scaffolds with pore sizes ranged in 200-400μm in diameter. The degradable scaffold supported cellular proliferation of seeded osteoblasts on the scaffold and shown normal differentiated function in vitro. Seeding density is an important factor for cell attachment and proliferation expression and has been considerably discussed. Suitable pore size of the scaffolds is required if promotion of bone reconstruction is desired. Clinical trials show that HA·TCP scaffolds are successful applied for bone reconstruction and regeneration and can be completely degraded in human body in 12months. This approach suggests the feasibility of using porous HA·TCP scaffold materials for the transplantation of autogenous osteoblasts to regenerate bone tissue.

Key words: Ca-P bioactive scaffold; processing and characterization; biological evaluation in vitro; clinical trails