A bone substitute composed of polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement and Bio-Gene allogeneic bone promotes osteoblast viability, adhesion and differentiation.

Background: Increasing reports on new cement formulations that address the shortcomings of PMMA bone cements and various active components have been introduced to improve the biological activity of PMMA cement.

Objective: Evaluating the biological properties of PMMA cements reinforced with Bio-Gene allogeneic bone.

Methods: The MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblast-like cells were utilized to determine the effects of Bio-Gene + PMMA on osteoblast viability, adhesion and differentiation.

Results: The combination of allogeneic bone and PMMA increased the number of adherent live cells compared to both control group and PMMA or Bio-Gene group. Scanning electron microscopy observed that the number of cells adhered to Bio-Gene + PMMA was larger than Bio-Gene and PMMA group. Compared with the control and PMMA or Bio-Gene group, the level of ALP and the number of calcium nodules after osteoinduction was remarkably enhanced in Bio-Gene + PMMA group. Additionally, the combination of Bio-Gene and PMMA induced the protein expression of osteocalcin, osterix and collagen I.

Conclusion: The composition of PMMA and allogeneic bone could provide a more beneficial microenvironment for osteoblast proliferation, adhesion and differentiation. PMMA bone cement reinforced with Bio-Gene allogeneic bone may act as a novel bone substitute to improve the biological activity of PMMA cement.