Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 8;11(1):12035. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91296-y.
Despite the high potential of healthy bone to regenerate, the reconstruction of large bone defects remains a challenge. Due to the lack of mechanical stability of existing bone substitutes, recently developed degradable metallic alloys are an interesting alternative providing higher load-bearing capabilities. Degradable iron-based alloys therefore might be an attractive innovation. To test the suitability of a newly-designed iron-based alloy for such applications, an animal experiment was performed. Porous iron-based degradable implants with two different densities and a control group were tested. The implants were positioned in the proximal tibia of Merino sheep. Over a period of 6 and 12 months, blood and histological parameters were monitored for signs of inflammation and degradation. In the histological evaluation of the implants` environment we found degraded alloy particles, but no inflammatory reaction. Iron particles were also found within the popliteal lymph nodes on both sides. The serum blood levels of phosphorus, iron and ferritin in the long term groups were elevated. Other parameters did not show any changes. Iron-based degradable porous bone replacement implants showed a good biocompatibility in this experiment. For a clinical application, however, the rate of degradation would have to be significantly increased. Biocompatibility would then have to be re-evaluated.
尽管健康骨骼具有很强的再生潜力，但大骨缺损的重建仍然是一个挑战。由于现有骨替代物缺乏机械稳定性，最近开发的可降解金属合金是一种很有前途的替代品，它具有更高的承载能力。可降解铁基合金因此可能是一项有吸引力的创新。为了测试新型铁基合金在这种应用中的适用性，进行了动物实验。测试了具有两种不同密度的多孔铁基可降解植入物和对照组。将植入物放置在美利奴羊的胫骨近端。在 6 个月和 12 个月的时间里，监测血液和组织学参数，以观察炎症和降解的迹象。在植入物环境的组织学评估中，我们发现了降解的合金颗粒，但没有炎症反应。在两侧的腘窝淋巴结中也发现了铁颗粒。长期组的血清血磷、铁和铁蛋白水平升高。其他参数没有显示出任何变化。在这项实验中，铁基可降解多孔骨替代植入物表现出良好的生物相容性。然而，对于临床应用，降解速度必须显著提高。然后需要重新评估生物相容性。
