Cell culture test of TCP/CPLA composite.

Thermoplastic polymers filled with a ceramic powder (here described as a "composite") of beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and copoly-L-lactide (CPLA) was prepared by a heat-kneading method. The TCP/CPLA composite obtained had a three-point bending strength of 51.26 +/- 634 MPa, a Young's modulus of 5.18 +/- 1.11 GPa, and a fracture strength of 52.64 +/- 2.975 MPa, which is sufficient for usage as an artificial bone implant material. According to cell culture tests using MC3T3-E1 cells, the TCP/CPLA composite showed no cytotoxicity and the cells were in close contact with the surfaces of the composite without any observable morphological change. These results suggest that a composite consisting of osteoconductive TCP and biodegradable CPLA is suitable as a bioactive artificial bone material.