Abstract

Ideal bone-filling materials should be degradable and efficient for fast bone remodeling. In this study, magnesium polyphosphate was applied to bone cement for the first time and a novel degradable bone cement was developed in situ through the interaction of magnesium polyphosphate coacervate and calcium citrate. The weight loss rate when the bone cement was degraded in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for 56 days was 57.6 ± 1.30%. The bone cement exhibited appropriate setting time (15.3 ± 0.6 min), injectability (46.9 ± 0.5%), good anti-washout ability, and compressive strength (17.0 ± 0.9 MPa) matching the bearing capacity of cancellous bone. In vitro studies showed that this type of bone cement presents cell compatibility and significantly promotes osteoblast differentiation. These results indicate that a composite bone cement based on magnesium polyphosphate and calcium citrate may have the potential for bone tissue repair and regeneration in future clinical applications.