In Vivo Mineral Composition Evolution of a Synthetic CaCO₃ Aragonite Used as Biomaterial for Osseous Substitution

Abstract

In orthopedic surgery, grafts are used as a substitute for defective bones. The development of synthetic biomaterials has been greatly successful. In this work, the in vivo behavior of synthetic aragonite calcium carbonate as a biomaterial was studied. This material porous at 44% was synthesized in our research group by double decomposition in an aqueous environment of salts of calcium and carbonate. Animal experimentation has been achieved on ovine spongy bony site. Biopsies have been carried out according to periods of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Samples were the subject of biologic assessments and in vivo mineral composition evolution. The analysis of trace and major elements (Ca, Sr, and P) of the biomaterial implanted has been achieved by the proton induced x‐rays emission (PIXE) method. Cartographies of every element of the biomaterial, of the interface (biomaterial–bone), and finally, of the bony matrix were established. Results obtained highlight the centripetal migrations of phosphorus and the strontium, from the physiological environment toward the aragonite CaCO₃ versus decreasing time of the calcium concentration in the biomaterial. The elements migration kinetics is inhomogeneous in the biomaterial–bone interface area. These results have been correlated with histological studies.

Keywords:

• Aragonite
• Biomaterial
• Mineral composition
• Cartographies
• Kinetic
• Ossification

Acknowledgments

The financial support of this project, No. A9803041E/AT by ANVAR, Bretagne, France is gratefully acknowledged.

The authors would like to thank Y. Tessier (CERI, Orleans, France), Dubois (LCS1M, University of Rennes 1, France), D. Beak (LBSO University of Rennes 1), J. Lelannic (CMEBA, University of Rennes 1, France), and M. Guilloux‐Viry for their help.