Biocompatability of hydroxyapatite composite as a local drug delivery system.

PURPOSE To investigate the biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite composite (hydroxyapatite, plaster of Paris, and chitosan) impregnated with gentamicin, fosfomycin, imipenem, or amphotericin B. METHODS The interactions of the extract from each drug against osteoblast were tested using the methylthiotetrazole test. RESULTS Extracts from all drugs showed good biocompatibility at concentrations varying from 10 microgram/ml to 1000 microgram/ml. Imipenem and amphotericin B at a concentration of 1000 microgram/ml had a significantly higher percentage of cell viability than the control group. No morphological change of osteoblast was observed in all drug tests at any concentrations. CONCLUSION The hydroxyapatite composite had a good biocompatibility for carrying gentamicin, fosfomycin, imipenem, or amphotericin B.