Biodegradable Zn–2Ag–0.04Mg Alloy for Bone Regeneration In Vivo

To evaluate the bone regeneration capacity of Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg alloy scaffold in vivo. Zn, Zn-2Ag and Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg scaffolds were implanted in the femur of New Zealand rabbits, and the degradation of the scaffolds and the regeneration of the bone were observed at 6th week and 6th month. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional micro-CT results showed the new bone in Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg alloy scaffold group was significant more than Zn scaffold group, the bone volume in Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg was higher. Moreover, the osteogenic index in the Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg alloy scaffold group was also higher than Zn scaffold group. At 6th month, the scaffold of Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg was smaller than Zn group or Zn-2Ag group. HE staining of the liver, kidney, and heart did not detect any abnormalities, confirmed the biosafety of the Zn-2Ag-0.04Mg alloy scaffold. The Zn-Ag-0.04Mg alloy scaffold exhibits good biocompatibility and bone regeneration ability in vivo.