Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chondroitin sulfate composite hydrogels containing strontium-doped hydroxyapatite as promising biomaterials

Cannabidiol-loaded microparticles embedded in a porous hydrogel matrix for biomedical applications

In this study, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles loaded with cannabidiol (CBD) were synthesized (PLGA@CBD microparticles) and embedded up to 10 wt% in a chondroitin sulfate/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel matrix. In vitro chemical, physical, and biological assays were carried out to validate the potential use of the modified hydrogels as biomaterials. The microparticles had spherical morphology and a narrow range of size distribution. CBD encapsulation efficiency was around 52%, loading was approximately 50%. Microparticle addition to the hydrogels caused minor changes in their morphology, FTIR and thermal analyses confirmed these changes. Swelling degree and total porosity were reduced in the presence of microparticles, but similar hydrophilic and degradation in phosphate buffer solution behaviors were observed by all hydrogels. Rupture force and maximum strain at rupture were higher in the modified hydrogels, whereas modulus of elasticity was similar across all materials. Viability of primary human dental pulp cells up to 21 days was generally not influenced by the addition of PLGA@CBD microparticles. The control hydrogel showed no antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas hydrogels with 5% and 10% PLGA@CBD microparticles showed inhibition zones. In conclusion, the PLGA@CBD microparticles were fabricated and successfully embedded in a hydrogel matrix. Despite the hydrophobic nature of CBD, the physicochemical and morphological properties were generally similar for the hydrogels with and without the CBD-loaded microparticles. The data reported in this study suggested that this original biomaterial loaded with CBD oil has characteristics that could enable it to be used as a scaffold for tissue/cellular regeneration.

Graphene Oxide Functionalized Gelatin Methacryloyl Microgel for Enhanced Biomimetic Mineralization and in situ Bone Repair

Introduction

The formation of bone-like apatite (Ap) on natural polymers through biomimetic mineralization using simulated body fluid (SBF) can improve osteoconductivity and biocompatibility, while lowering immunological rejection. Nonetheless, the coating efficiency of the bone-like Ap layer on natural polymers requires improvement. Carbonyls (-COOH) and hydroxyls (-OH) are abundant in graphene oxide (GO), which may offer more active sites for biomimetic mineralization and promote the proliferation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

Methods

In this study, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microgels were infused with GO (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL) and embedded into microgels in SBF for 1, 7, and 14 days. Systematic in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the structure of the microgel and its effect on cell proliferation and ability to repair bone defects in rats.

Results

The resulting GO-GelMA-Ap microgels displayed a porous, interconnected structure with uniformly coated surfaces in bone-like Ap, and the Ca/P ratio of the 1 mg/mL GO-GelMA-Ap group was comparable to that of natural bone tissue. Moreover, the 1 mg/mL GO-GelMA-Ap group exhibited a greater Ap abundance, enhanced proliferation of BMSCs in vitro and increased bone formation in vivo compared to the GelMA-Ap group.

Discussion

Overall, this study offers a novel method for incorporating GO into microgels for bone tissue engineering to promote biomimetic mineralization.

Polysaccharide-bioceramic composites for bone tissue engineering: A review

Limitations associated with conventional bone substitutes such as autografts, increasing demand for bone grafts, and growing elderly population worldwide necessitate development of unique materials as bone graft substitutes. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) would ensure therapy advancement, efficiency, and cost-effective treatment modalities of bone defects. One way of engineering bone tissue scaffolds by mimicking natural bone tissue composed of organic and inorganic phases is to utilize polysaccharide-bioceramic hybrid composites. Polysaccharides are abundant in nature, and present in human body. Biominerals, like hydroxyapatite are present in natural bone and some of them possess osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Ion doped bioceramics could substitute protein-based biosignal molecules to achieve osteogenesis, vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and stress shielding. This review is a systemic summary on properties, advantages, and limitations of polysaccharide-bioceramic/ion doped bioceramic composites along with their recent advancements in BTE.

Strontium-loaded hydrogel scaffolds to promote gingival fibroblast function

Dental implant clinical success is dependent on effective peri-implant tissue attachment to the trans-mucosal portion following placement. Modification of transmucosal implant surfaces can improve cellular adhesion and function leading to formation of an effective soft-tissue seal during healing, of which gingival fibroblasts are prominent cells to migrate to repair wounds and crucial for the development of a collagen rich connective tissue. Biocompatible loaded scaffold materials have been developed to allow local release of molecules with effective biological activity. Our previous studies indicate that strontium can promote gingival fibroblast metabolism, decrease apoptosis and support adhesion to titanium healing abutments. In this study, we developed a strontium-loaded alginate hydrogel scaffold which can be easily personalized to fit over any size and shape of implant transmucosal collar or healing abutment. Results indicate that biologically active strontium ions are effectively released from loaded alginate hydrogel material to promote fibroblast viability and migration to repair in vitro wounds similar to that of strontium citrate solution. Overall, this novel strontium-loaded alginate scaffold device displays good biocompatibility and functionality, demonstrating high potential as a system to provide local delivery of strontium to improve peri-implant mucosal healing following implant placement and clinical success.

Degradable and Non-Degradable Chondroitin Sulfate Particles with the Controlled Antibiotic Release for Bacterial Infections

Non-degradable, slightly degradable, and completely degradable micro/nanoparticles derived from chondroitin sulfate (CS) were synthesized through crosslinking reactions at 50%, 40%, and 20% mole ratios, respectively. The CS particles with a 20% crosslinking ratio show total degradation within 48 h, whereas 50% CS particles were highly stable for up to 240 h with only 7.0 ± 2.8% weight loss in physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C). Tobramycin and amikacin antibiotics were encapsulated into non-degradable CS particles with high loading at 250 g/mg for the treatment of corneal bacterial ulcers. The highest release capacity of 92 ± 2% was obtained for CS-Amikacin particles with sustainable and long-term release profiles. The antibacterial effects of CS particles loaded with 2.5 mg of antibiotic continued to render a prolonged release time of 240 h with 24 ± 2 mm inhibition zones against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, as a carrier, CS particles significantly improved the compatibility of the antibiotics even at high particle concentrations of 1000 g/mL with a minimum of 71 ± 7% fibroblast cell viability. In summary, the sustainable delivery of antibiotics and long-term treatment of bacterial keratitis were shown to be afforded by the design of tunable degradation ability of CS particles with improved biocompatibility for the encapsulated drugs.