Growth of human osteoblast-like cells on beta-tricalciumphosphate (TCP) membranes with different structures.

Bioresorb, a bioactive, bioresorbable bone replacement material, consisting of pure beta-tricalciumphos phate (TCP) ceramic, was evaluated in cell culture with human osteoblast-like cells. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of TCP on the growth behavior of human osteoblast-like cells. Different granule sizes and plate sizes were used in this study: Granule sizes 500-1000 microm, 1000-2000 microm and 2000-5000 microm; plate sizes 1.7 mm, 2.0 mm and 2.2 mm. Under scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations the cell colonization on the surface of the biomaterial and the tissue compatibility were studied. Thin sections were used to study the growth of human osteoblast-like cells inside the biomaterial. It could be clearly shown that all investigated biomaterials are tissue compatible and that the size and structure (granule or plate) of the biomaterial effects the colonization rate. Bioresorb plates enhance the colonization comparable to granule. The results obtained by SEM and thin sections were confirmed immunhistochemically by the nonradioactive assay EZ4U - EASY FOR YOU.In conclusion, all investigated sizes and structures of Bioresorb are tissue compatible but the cell growth is much better on plates than on granule small in size. The results suggest that the plates may be favourable useful as scaffold for regrowth of bone.