Construction of a Titanium–Magnesium Composite Internal Fixation System for Repairing Bone Defects

Abstract

The repair and regeneration of maxillofacial bone defects are major clinical challenges. Titanium (Ti)–magnesium (Mg) composites are a new generation of revolutionary internal fixation materials encompassing the mechanical strength and bioactive advantages of Ti and Mg alloys, respectively. This study was aimed to construct a Ti–Mg composite internal plate/screw fixation system to fix and repair bone defects. Further, the effects of different internal fixation systems on bone repair were analyzed through radiological and histological analyses. Notably, Ti6Al4V with rolled Mg foil was used as the experimental group, and a bone defect model of transverse complete amputation of the ulna in rabbits similar to the clinical condition was established. The internal fixation system with the highest osteogenic efficiency was selected based on in vivo results, and the direct and indirect bone repair abilities of the selected materials were evaluated in vitro. Notably, the thin Mg foil–Ti6Al4V internal fixation system exhibited the best fixation effect in the bone defect model and promoted the formation of new bone and early healing of bone defect areas. In vitro, the thin Mg foil–Ti6Al4V composite enhanced the activity of MC3T3-E1 cells; promoted the proliferation, adhesion, extension, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells; and regulated new bone formation. Further, it also promoted the polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M2 macrophages, induced the osteogenic immune microenvironment, and indirectly regulated the bone repair process. Therefore, a internal fixation system holds a promising potential for the internal fixation of maxillofacial bone defects. Our findings provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the design and clinical application of Ti–Mg internal fixation systems.