Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is well known as a potent angiogenic factor playing a crucial role in wound-healing processes. Apatitic substrates such as hydroxyapatite and carbonated apatite (CA) could be potential carriers of growth factors because of their physicochemical similarities to bone mineral. These materials have been compared for their bFGF adsorption and release properties. The adsorption of the growth factor was higher on carbonated apatite than on hydroxyapatite, probably owing to environments with labile nonapatitic CO32− and HPO42− groups, along with a higher specific surface area which gives the CA a higher surface reactivity. These environments can be exchanged very rapidly, leading to the release of bFGF. The controlled release of adsorbed growth factor from carbonated apatite could provide means of improving bone healing in the future.
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Midy et al. (1998) studied this question.