RETRACTED: TCP ceramic doped with dicalcium silicate for bone regeneration applications prepared by powder metallurgy method: In vitro and in vivo studies (Retracted Article)

This study reports on the in vitro and in vivo behavior of -tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and also TCP doped with either 1.5 or 3.0 wt % of dicalcium silicate (C2S). The ceramics were successfully prepared by powder metallurgy method combined with homogenization and heat treatment procedures. All materials were composed of a single-phase, TCP in the case of a pure material, or solid solution of C2S in TCP for the doped TCP, which were stable at room temperature. The ceramics were tested for bioactivity in simulated body fluid, cell culture medium containing adult mesenchymal stem cells of human origin, and in animals. Analytical scanning electron microscopy combined with chemical elemental analysis was used and Fourier transform infrared and conventional histology methods. The in vivo behavior of the ceramics matched the in vitro results, independently of the C2S content in TCP. Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) layer was formed on the surface and within the inner parts of the specimens in all cases. A fully mineralized new bone growing in direct contact with the implants was found under the in vivo conditions. The bioactivity and biocompatibility of the implants increased with the C2S content in TCP. The C2S doped ceramics also favoured a phase transformation of TCP into CHA, important for full implant integration during the natural bone healing processes. TCP ceramic doped with 3.0 wt % C2S showed the best bioactive in vitro and in vivo properties of all the compositions and hence could be of interest in specific applications for bone restorative purposes. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.