Biological evaluation of hydroxyapatite/poly‐L‐lactide (HAp/PLLA) composite biomaterials with poly‐L‐lactide of different molecular weights intraperitoneally implanted into mice

Abstract

Histopathologic analysis of the tissue with HAp/PLLA implants was made and the leukocyte formula and chemiluminescence response of peritoneal phagocytes 2, 7 and 12 weeks after intraperitoneal implantation studied. Implants were made of HAp/PLLA biocomposites with PLLA molecular weights of 50,000 (HAp/PLLA(50)) and 430,000 g/mol (HAp/PLLA(430)) and of crushed devitalized femur bone of a young Wistar rat. Leukocyte formula and chemiluminescence of peritoneal phagocytes showed no systemic inflammatory response. The studied implants caused locally weak inflammatory reaction. The resorption of implants ranges in intensity (polymer resorption, i.e. disappearance rate), from the highest with the bone implants, low with HAp/PLLA(50), to the lowest with the HAp/PLLA(430) implants. Good resorption of the biocomposites and its mutual ingrowth with connective tissue prove their good biocompatibility.