Cytological evaluation of the tissue-implant reaction associated with S/C and I/P implantation of ALCAP and HA bioceramics in vivo.
It is well documented that several ceramic materials are highly compatible and non-immunogenic with host tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated the need for further investigation of these devices in vivo to further elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in biocompatibility. The purpose of this investigation was to study the morphological characteristics of the fibrous tissue capsule resulting from the implantation of aluminum calcium phosphate (ALCAP) and hydroxyapetite (HA) bioceramics. Implants of ALCAP and HA were implanted into 10 adult male rats subcutaneously (S/C) and intraperitoneally (I/P). At 90 days post-implantation, the animals were euthanized, and the ceramic devices, the fibrous tissue, and vital organs were harvested. Evaluation of routine stained sections (5 microm, hematoxylin & eosin) of the fibrous tissue capsule surrounding the HA and ALCAP ceramics revealed the following: 1) all the ceramic devices had fibrous connective tissue capsules of slightly varying degrees of thickness at the time of sacrifice, depending on the site of implantation and type of material, and 2) there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the numbers and types of cellular components with respect to implantation site. The number of macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, degree of vascularity, and thickness of the fibrous tissue matrix was found to be statistically different between the S/C implanted ceramic groups. The number of macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and collagen content comparing the fibrous tissue surrounding the ALCAP and HA ceramics (I/P), was found to be statisically different.