Advances in Bone Repair: A Bioengineered PMMA-Based Bone Cement with Enhanced Otseoconductivity Utilizing Human-Derived Bone Powder

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is frequently utilized in many orthopedic procedures, but its lack of bioactivity, high polymerization heat, and limited mechanical strength create challenges in clinical applications. In this study, we aimed to improve PMMA’s performance by enhancing it with chitosan (Ch) and allograft bone powder (BP), both known for their bioactive properties. We synthesized the PMMA-Ch-BP cement through a solvent casting method and verified its structure using FTIR and SEM imaging. A promising 26.77% boost in compressive strength and a lower polymerization temperature by 15.22 °C were recorded which could lead to minimizing the tissue damage. The novel cement demonstrated higher cell viability and proliferation rates, achieving 120% cell viability compared to unmodified PMMA by day 5. Also, SEM images confirmed improved cell attachment on PMMA-Ch-BP, with cells extending filopodia across the cement surface. Furthermore, ALP activity and Alizarin red staining revealed enhanced osteogenic potential and biomineralization. RT-PCR further exhibited increased expression of osteogenesis-related genes, suggesting a cement that facilitates the process of bone growth and healing. According to the obtained results, it can be claimed that PMMA-Ch-BP is a compelling alternative for orthopedic use, providing improved strength, bioactivity, and compatibility with bone tissue.