Histological examination and evaluation of biocompatibility of 3-D printed implants in the experiment.

Abstract

Background. High levels of musculoskeletal injuries, pathologies and various diseases of bone tissue encourage researchers around the world to actively seek out new and improve existing implant materials for high-quality reconstructive and restorative operations on bone tissue. Objective. Histological examination and evaluation of biocompatibility of 3-D printed implants after implantation in experimental animals. Methods. 3-D printed materials were implanted into the white laboratory rats Wistar for 1, 4, and 12 weeks. The cellular reactions of the organism and possible changes in the structure of the test specimens after implantation were studied by light microscopy by histological micropreparation analysis. Results. Histological examination was performed and the nature and dynamics of cellular responses after implantation of 3-D printed materials were evaluated. Conclusion. It was found that cellular migration and germination of connective tissue tendons deep into the implants due to the porous structure of 3-D printed material based on ceramics, resulted in partial degradation, which slightly increased the intensity of cellular reactions at all study periods. It was found that the intensity of cellular reactions was minimal in the early stages of the study around polymer-based 3-D printed material, but 12 weeks after implantation, cellular responses were increased. It is shown that implantation of 3-D printed materials into the body of experimental animals led to the development of cellular responses typical of aseptic inflammation, which testified to their biocompatibility.