Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Wollastonite/Tricalcium Phosphate Glass-Ceramics after Implantation in Critical Bone Defect in Rats

In this work wollastonite/tricalcium phosphate (W/TCP) glass-ceramics with three W/TCP weight ratios (20/80; 60/40 and 80/20) were implanted in rat calvaria and the modifications taking place during implantation were studied by Raman spectroscopy. The experimental glass-ceramics were composed of different contents of βW, αW, βTCP, αTCP, and glassy phases. Materials were implanted for 7-, 15-, 45- and 120-day periods after which the implanted materials were recovered and analyzed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The results suggested that the αW phase reabsorbs fast during implantation in the glass-ceramics 60/40 and 80/20, whereas βTCP and αTCP glass-ceramic are gradually attenuated and replaced by biological apatite-like bands. In the glass-ceramic 20/80, the bands related to the βTCP phase remained unvaried in all analyzed periods. New bands associated with the deposition of collagenous material appeared during implantation for all 60/40 and 80/20 glass-ceramics experimental groups, but important differences in intensities between both groups. The spectra corresponding to implants of 60/40 glass-ceramic at the 120-day period were very similar to those of the control group (normal cortical bone), with regards to Raman shifts and intensities, as well as in the FWHM value of the 962 cm-1 apatite band (ν1 PO4 in hydroxyapatite), evidencing that apatite deposited at the implant site has the same crystallinity than biological apatite in normal bone mineral. The glass-ceramic 20/80 behaved just as an osteoconductive filling material, while glass-ceramics 60/40 and 80/20 were able to induce deposition of organic matrix mineralized new tissue. The 60/40 glass-ceramic showed the best performance and the most similar Raman spectrum to normal cortical bone.