Preparation and characterization of novel PMMA bone cement containing 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxyfuran-2(5<i>H</i>)-one

<i>Introduction</i>: to address the issue of burst drug release in antibiotic-loaded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement (ALBC), this study involved preparation of novel PMMA bone cement and determination of its antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, compressive properties, maximum temperature, and setting time. <i>Methods</i>: a novel acrylic monomer, which contains the 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxyfuran-2(5<i>H</i>)-one (DHF), was synthesized and utilized to develop non-leaching antibacterial PMMA bone cement (NLBC), designated as DHF-methacrylic acid (DHF-MAA) bone cement. In the preparation of this bone cement, DHF-MAA served as a key component of the liquid phase. Its antibacterial activity was determined using a surface antibacterial assay. The biocompatibility of the cement was evaluated through a rabbit-suspended erythrocyte hemolysis test, assessment of the relative proliferation rate of mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) using the CCK-8 method, and an acute toxicity test in mice. The assessment of compressive properties includes both compressive strength and compressive modulus before and after aging. <i>Results</i>: DHF-MAA bone cement exhibited antibacterial activity, excellent biocompatibility, and acceptable compressive properties; in particular, the 10% DHF-MAA bone cement, achieved 100% antibacterial activity, excellent biocompatibility, and a compressive strength that met the compressive value, as stated in ISO 5833. <i>Conclusions</i>: in this study, novel antibacterial non-leaching DHF-MAA bone cement was synthesized and evaluated for its antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and compressive properties. In particular, the 10% DHF-MAA bone cement exhibited excellent antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and acceptable compressive properties. As such, this cement formulation warrants further characterization with a view to using it to anchor cemented arthroplasties.