EFFECT OF THE ADDITION OF VARIOUS POLYSACCHARIDES ON THE MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND CYTOTOXICITY OF CHELATE-SETTING β-TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE CEMENT

In order to enhance the handling ability and mechanical properties of chelate-setting β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) cement, various polysaccharides, such as sodium alginate, sodium dextran sulfate, sodium chondroitin sulfate, and chitosan (Chito GL and W10), were added to mixing solutions for cement preparation. When mixing solutions containing the above additives were used, the handling ability of all the cement pastes was improved compared with the case of pure water without polysaccharide. Among the examined cement specimens, the cement with the highest compressive strength (17.4 MPa) was obtained using Chito W10. Although the viability of cells co-cultured with cements fabricated using additives was less than that of the control and water on the first day, the number of cells increased until the fifth day. The addition of chitosan (Chito W10) into the mixing solution is promising in the fabrication of chelate-setting β-TCP cement with enhanced handling ability and mechanical properties. (Received January 28, 2012; Accepted February 9, 2012)