Li-doped calcium phosphate cement for accelerated bone regeneration of osteoporotic bone defect

Osteoporotic fractures seriously endanger the elderly quality of life, especially postmenopausal women. Currently, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is one of the materials used for the treatment of osteoporotic fractures. This study intends to investigate the biological effects of lithium (Li)-doped CPC. Li was dissolved into ultrapure water as curing solution to prepare CPC@Li composite material. Li did not affect the morphology of CPC. CPC@Li composite showed a sustained release of Li in 14 days. Compared with CPC, CPC@Li promoted the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells. The result of femur implantation in an osteoporosis mouse model showed that a larger amount of new bone was formed surrounding the CPC@Li implant and closely to the implant surface, indicating favorable osteogenesis and osteointegration capabilities. Li-doped CPC is promising to be used in clinic for its enhanced bone regeneration ability.