Biocompatibility evaluation of a novel hydroxyapatite-polymer coating for medical implants (in vitro tests).

Nanocomposites consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and a sodium maleate copolymer (maleic polyelectrolyte), synthesized by hydrothermal method and deposited on titanium substrates by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique were tested for the biological properties. Coating bioanalysis was carried out by triple staining of actin, microtubules and nuclei followed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Within 24 h cells that occupied the biomaterial surface displayed the morphology and cytoskeleton pattern similar to the controls. Cells grown on nanocomposite coated surfaces had a higher proliferation rate than their counterparts grown on Ti coated with HA alone, indicating that maleic polyelectrolyte improved surface bio-adhesive characteristics. The capacity to induce cell attachment, spreading and proliferation demonstrated the potential of Ti coated with HA-polymer nanocomposites to be used as scaffolds in dental or orthopedic implantology.