INSOLUBILIZED PROPERTIES OF UV-IRRADIATED CO3-APATITE-COLLAGEN COMPOSITES

To examine the response to biological hard tissues, a carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite with chemical composition and crystallinity similar to those of bone was synthesized at pH 7.4 and 60°C. The apatite powder was mixed with collagen solution, whose antigenicity had been removed by enzymatic treatment, and formed into apatite-collagen pellets. After insolubilization by UV-irradiation for 4 h, the composites showed remarkably reduced disintegration and maintained their shape under 3.6 MPa of stress after 1 wk incubation in 0.9% NaCI solution. They showed good biocompatibilty when implanted beneath the periosteum cranii of rats. The UV-irradiated sample kept its features well and was packed with newly created material 3 wk after implantation. © 1990.