Biocompatibility Evaluation of Porous Si-Containing Hydroxyapatite Derived from Coral

A porous silicon-containing hydroxyapatite has been prepared using natural coral as a calcium source to obtain a biomaterial having an improved biocompatibility. From the XRD analysis, it was confirmed that the single-phase hydroxyapatite containing silicon has formed without revealing the presence of extra phases related to silicon dioxide or other calcium phosphate species. Silicon content is ranged from 0.5wt% to 1wt% by weight. The porous silicon-containing hydroxyapatite blocks were inserted into the 5mm diameter of drill holes made through the lateral femoral condyles of New Zealand white rabbits. The new bony formation did not begin after 1 week. At 3 week, bony ongrowth to the inserted porous silicon-containing hydroxyapatite block could be found, and the new bone surrounded the inserted block entirely after 24weeks. Based on in-vivo test, Si-containing porous hydroxyapatite derived from coral possesses high biodegradability and can be considered a useful material for bone implants.