Precipitation of PMMA/PCL blends using supercritical carbon dioxide

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug-delivery systems at endodontic reparative material: Synthesis and characterization

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize an experimental endodontic paste.

METHODS

An experimental endodontic paste (EX) was characterized by its particle size, zeta potential, drug content and morphology. The powder of EX is composed of amoxicillin microspheres, calcium tungstate and α-tricalcium phosphate, mixed with an indomethacin nanocapsules suspension. Ultracal^® (Ultradent), an iodoform-based paste (GP) and the EX were evaluated by its physical properties (flow, film thickness and radiopacity). The cytocompatibility was performed by MTT and SRB-colorimetric assays; the cell-migration was tested with scratch assay and cell-ability to remineralization with ALP and Alizarin Red S, with fibroblastic cell line. The antibacterial activity was assessed by the formation of inhibition zones and against planktonic bacteria.

RESULTS

The EX and UL flow achieved ISO6876 standard, and GP was lower than 17mm. All pastes achieved the film thickness required. Radiopacity was equivalent to 1.81±0.25mmAl for EX, which did not differ from GP group 1.39±0.33mmAl (p>0.05). The UL presented 3.04±0.33mmAl. The values for SRB showed better citocompatibility in comparison with MTT for all materials. The ALP activity and formation of mineralized nodules demonstrated the remineralization potential for UL and EX. Cell migration showed continuous wound closure until complete cell healing, however, the EX accelerated the process (p<0.05). The EX showed the greatest inhibition zone (p<0.05) and was the only group with antibacterial activity against planktonic bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE

The synthesized endodontic paste demonstrated reliable physical and biological properties and could be a promising material for periapical tissue repair.

Composite fibrous biomaterials for tissue engineering obtained using a supercritical CO2 antisolvent process

Several techniques have been proposed for producing porous structures or scaffolds for tissue engineering but, as yet, with no optimal solution. With regard to this topic, this paper focuses on the preparation of biocompatible nanometric filler-polymer composites organized in a network of fibers. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) or hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanopowders as the guest particles and poly(lactic acid) (L-PLA) or the blend poly(methylmethacrylate)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PMMA/PCL) as the polymer carrier were selected as model systems for this purpose. A supercritical antisolvent technique was used to produce the composites. In the process developed, the non-soluble particulate filler was suspended in a polymer solution, and both components were sprayed simultaneously into supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Using this technique, polymeric matrices were loaded with approximately 10-20 wt.% of inorganic phase distributed throughout the composite. Two different hybrid materials were prepared: a PMMA/PCL+TiO2 system where either fibers or microparticles were prepared by varying the molecular weight of the used PMMA; and fibers in the case of L-PLA+HAP system. After further post-processing in a three-dimensional network, these nanofibers can potentially be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Preparation of acetazolamide composite microparticles by supercritical anti-solvent techniques

The possibility of preparation of ophthalmic drug delivery systems using compressed anti-solvent technology was evaluated. Eudragit RS 100 and RL 100 were used as drug carriers, acetazolamide was the model drug processed. Compressed anti-solvent experiments were carried out as a semi-continuous or a batch operation from a liquid solution of polymer(s)+solute dissolved in acetone. Both techniques allowed the recovery of composite particles, but the semi-continuous operation yielded smaller and less aggregated populations than the batch operation. The release behaviour of acetazolamide from the prepared microparticles was studied and most products exhibited a slower release than the single drug. Moreover, the release could be controlled to some extent by varying the ratio of the two Eudragit used in the formulation and by selecting one or the other anti-solvent technique. Simple diffusion models satisfactorily described the release profiles. Composites specifically produced by semi-continuous technique have a drug release rate controlled by a diffusion mechanism, whereas for composites produced by the batch operation, the polymer swelling also contributes to the overall transport mechanism.