Synopsis
To determine whether novel calcium particles could be used as scaffolding and vector delivery material, we examined the biological reaction to them in the body, in particular their antigenicity and bioabsorbable properties. Materials and methods: Three different kinds of porous calcium particles (10µm Ca₃(PO₄)₂, 30 µm Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and CaCO₃, 60µm CaCO₃) and autogenous rat crushed thigh bone or heterogenous mouse crushed thigh bone were implanted under the dorsal skin of the rats. Following transplantation, tissues were resected at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, and sections stained with HE were observed histopathologically. Results: The bioabsorption of and biological reactions to these novel porous calcium particles, including infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and foreign body giant cells, were similar to those of autologous bone but different from those of heterologenous bone. The speed of bioabsorption of these 3 kinds of calcium particles was faster in order of particle size from the smaller to larger particles. Since porous calcium particles remained at least one month in the tissue, they might be useful as materials with scaffold and delivery functions.

Key words: biocompatibility, bioabsorption, lymphocytes, macrophages, calcium particles

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