Preparation and characterization of novel lithium magnesium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds facilitating bone generation.

Both magnesium and lithium are able to stimulate osteogenic and angiogenic activities. In this study, lithium magnesium phosphate (LiMg(PO), LiMg(PO) and LiMg(PO)) biomaterials were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method, and their bioceramic blocks and scaffolds were fabricated by compression molding and 3D printing, respectively. The results indicated that the lithium magnesium phosphates consisted of the Mg(PO) phase and/or LiMgPO phase. Compared with the lithium-free Mg(PO) bioceramics, the lithium magnesium phosphate bioceramics showed a lower porosity and consequently a higher compressive strength, and stimulated cellular proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and proangiogenic activity. results manifested that the LiMg(PO) bioceramic scaffolds efficiently promoted bone regeneration of critical-size calvarial defects in rats. Benefiting from the high compressive strength and capacity of stimulating osteogenesis and angiogenesis, the LiMg(PO) bioceramic scaffolds are considered promising for efficiently repairing the bone defects.