Novel Bone Substitute Composed of Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins-Crosslinked Gelatin and Tricalcium Phosphate

A biodegradable GTP composite composed of OPCs crosslinked gelatin with tricalcium phosphate was prepared as a novel bone substitute. The effects of the degree of crosslinking on the swelling ratio, in vitro degradation rate, and morphology of the GTP composite are discussed. Adding OPCs to GP and GTP composites markedly reduced the degradation rate, indicating 1 P. that OPCs are good crosslinking reagents for gelatin. Cytotoxic tests demonstrated that OPCs, gelatin and tricalcium phosphate released from GTP composite promoted the proliferation of MG-63 cells. Results of this study suggest that the nontoxic GTP composite is suitable for use as a large defect bone substitute.