SYNOPSIS
Coral is a porous material with rough surface, and physical strength that could be effectively used as scaffolding for bone growth. To compare the bioabsorbility and biocompatibility between cultured and natural coral, we examined the chemical characteristics and tissue affinity in vitro. The cultured and natural coral (montipora digitata) deproteinized with NaOH was used. The cultured and natural coral particles were soaked in calcium containing buffers (pH 6.0, pH 7.0, pH 8.0) for 10 days, and the calcium density in the buffer was then measured. The calcium density in a solution without these particles was measured as the control group. Human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF) was multiplied. The cultured and natural coral particles were then seeded in the wells with HPLF. After 7 days of culture, the HPLF were stained with DAPI and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and the increase in cell number and S phase of the cell cycle were observed. Cells without these particles were cultured as a control. The density of calcium in the pH 6.0 buffer which soaked the cultured coral increased more than that which soaked the natural coral. On the other hand, the calcium density in the pH 8.0 seeded cultured coral was decreased compared with that which soaked the natural coral. After 7 days of culture, cells consisting of HPLF grew densely around the cultured coral particles compared with the natural coral. Thus, the cultured coral would provide a bioabsorbable and biocompatible scaffold.

Key words: cultured coral, chemical characteristic, tissue affinity, bioabsorption, bone scaffold