Intramedullary implants coated with cubic boron nitride enhance bone fracture healing in a rat model

Opened in 2003 with the aim to graduate experts in the field of machine-production, our Department is among the firsts in our country to offer education in English. The Manufacturing Engineering program focuses on the manufacturing technologies that shape materials from raw materials to final products by means of analytical, experimental and numerical modeling methods. First Manufacturing Engineering Program to be engineered by Müdek, our department aims to graduate creative and innovative Manufacturing Engineers that are knowledgeable in the current technology, and are able to use production resources in an effective and sustainable way that never disregards environmental facts. As the first Department to implement the Cooperative Education Program at Atılım University in coordination with institutions from the industry, the Manufacturing Engineering offers a practice-oriented approach in education with its laboratory infrastructure and research opportunities. The curriculum at our department is supported by current engineering software, and catered to creating engineers equipped to meet the needs of the production industry.

Abstract

Background: Boron nitride is a biocompatible and an osteo-inductive material for orthopedic applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different allotrope boron nitride coated implants, cubic boron nitride and hexagonal boron nitride, on fracture healing. Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 24 rats were divided into three groups. Group A was the control group with Kirschner wire without coating, while the wires were coated dominantly by cubic boron nitride in Group B and hexagonal boron nitride in Group C. Then a mid-third femoral fracture was created. The fracture healing was examined in terms of new bone formation with micro-CT analysis and histopathological examination, quantitative measurement of bone turnover metabolites and scintigraphic examination of osteoblastic activity on 28th day post fracture. Results: Micro-CT measurement results revealed a statistically significant increase in bone volume/tissue volume ratio and bone surface values in group B compared to group A. Cortex diameter and osteoblast counts were statistically higher in group B compared to group A. Inflammatory response was increased in group C compared to groups A and B. Biochemical test results showed significantly increased alkaline phosphatase levels and decreased osteocalcin levels in group B compared to group A. The increase in serum phosphorus and decrease in serum calcium levels was statistically significant in group C compared to Group A. Conclusion: Both types of boron nitride coating had superior fracture healing features compared to control group. Therefore, c-BN coating can accelerate the fracture healing and could lead to shorten of union time.

Description

Tanoglu, Oguzhan/0000-0001-8984-9008; ocak, mert/0000-0001-6832-6208; kaymaz, fevziye figen/0000-0001-8896-2471; Koca, Gokhan/0000-0003-2842-9223; OZMERIC, AHMET/0000-0001-5398-446X; Senes, Mehmet/0000-0002-7924-5478