Lithium doped silica nanospheres/poly(dopamine) composite coating on polyetheretherketone to stimulate cell responses, improve bone formation and osseointegration.

Osseointegration is crucial for early fixation as well as long-term success of orthopedic implants. Bioactive composite containing lithium doping silica nanospheres (LSNs) and poly(dopamine) (PDA) were coated on polyetheretherketone (PK) surface (LPPK), and effects of the LSNs/PDA composite (LPC) coating on the biological properties of LPPK were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that LPPK with improved bioactivity remarkably promoted apatite mineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF) compared with PDA coated on PK (PPK) and PK. Moreover, the LPPK remarkably stimulated rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) responses compared with PPK and PK. Furthermore, the LPPK significantly promoted bone tissues responses in vivo compared with PPK and PK. It could be suggested that the improvements of cells and bone tissues responses were attributed to the surface characteristics of the bioactive LPC coating on LPPK. The LPPK would be a great candidate for orthopedic and dental applications.