Authors: Suzuki, O.; Imaizumi, H.; Kamakura, S.; Katagiri, T.

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 15, Number 3, February 2008 , pp. 305-313(9)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Octacalcium phosphate (Ca8H2(PO4)6.5H2O; OCP) has been advocated to be a precursor of biological apatite crystals in bone and tooth. Recent studies, using physical techniques, showed that OCP is present as a transient phase during biological apatite formation in human dentin, porcine enamel and murine bone. However, there is still a controversy regarding the chemical nature of the first mineral formed in the biominerals. A number of studies have demonstrated that synthetic OCP shows bone regenerative and biodegradable characteristics, rather than other calcium phosphate bone substitute materials, such as hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; HA) ceramic. It seems likely that synthetic OCP may be an alternative to autogenous bone graft. It is known that OCP contains alternative layers of water molecules and an apatite structure, and that the transition of OCP to HA is likely to be spontaneous and irreversible. The conversion process induces modification of local environment adjacent to OCP surface, including the changes in adsorption of serum proteins and concentration of calcium and inorganic phosphate ions. This article reviews the possible application to bone regeneration by synthetic OCP and the mechanism to enhance bone regeneration in relation to biological mineralization in bone and tooth.

Keywords: Octacalcium phosphate (OCP); hydroxyapatite (HA); conversion; biomineralization; biomaterials; bone regeneration

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Craniofacial Function Engineering, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.

Publication date: 2008-02-01

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• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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