Biocompatibility of silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite osteoid composite biomaterials

Objective: To evaluate the biocompatibility of silk fibroin-hydroxylapatite osteoid composite biomaterials. Methods: Osteoblast-like cell line MG-63 in the experiment group was cultured in vitro and vaccinated on the surface of silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite osteoid composite biomaterials, while in the control group it was inoculated on the pure hydroxyapatite. The biocompatibility of the materials in the two groups was evaluated by inverted microscopy and tetrazolium salt colorimetric (MTT) assay, respectively. For in vivo evaluation of biocompatibility, the silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite osteoid composite biomaterials were implanted in the femoral medullary cavity of New Zealand white rabbits in the experiment group, while pure hychoxyapatite were implanted in the control group. At week 4 and week 8, the specimens were removed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained (HE and Masson staining) to observe new bone formation and evaluate the biocompatibility in vivo. Results: In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite osteoid composite biomaterials in the experiment group had good biocompatibility. Conclusion: Silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite has excellent biocompatibility, and thus it is expected to become a new type of bone substitute materials.