Tissue response to a novel bone adhesive implanted subcutaneously in rats: A histological and gene expression analysis

Median sternotomy provides access to the heart and surrounding valves for cardiothoracic surgery. However, complications arise such as micro-motion separation between two sternal halves. To prevent these complications, use of a bone adhesive has been proposed augment mechanical union halves when combined with wire cerclage. Our group developed fixation, utilizing glass polyalkenoate cement (GPC) based on zinc silicate ionomeric (mole fraction: SiO2:0.48, ZnO:0.36, CaO:0.12, SrO:0.04). Here we present first soft-tissue biological safety assessment this novel Sr/Zn-GPC, where implanted material subcutaneously in rats 6 12 weeks. Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) was used baseline control respect inflammation biocompatibility. Histological revealed no adverse tissue reaction nor ectopic formation response material. Additionally, relative expression pro-inflammatory osteogenic genes (Col1a1, SOX9, Runx2, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) assessed implants significant differences Sr/Zn-GPC PMMA implants.