Surfactant-assisted size control of hydroxyapatite nanorods for bone tissue engineering

Design of Liquid Formulation Based on F127-Loaded Natural Dimeric Flavonoids as a New Perspective Treatment for Leishmaniasis

Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IPD) remain a challenge for medicine due to several interconnected reasons, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an overlooked IPD causing persistent skin ulcers that are challenging to heal, resulting in disfiguring scars. Moreover, it has the potential to extend from the skin to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat in both humans and various animals. Given the limited effectiveness and AMR of current drugs, the exploration of new substances has emerged as a promising alternative for ATL treatment. Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC). Bureau is a native Brazilian plant rich in dimeric flavonoids, including Brachydin (BRA), which displays antimicrobial activity, but still little has been explored regarding the development of therapeutic formulations. In this work, we present the design of a low-cost liquid formulation based on the use of Pluronic F127 for encapsulation of high BRA concentration (LF-B500). The characterization techniques revealed that BRA-loaded F127 micelles are well-stabilized in an unusual worm-like form. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that LF-B500 was non-toxic to macrophages but efficient in the inactivation of forms of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 of 16.06 µg/mL. The results demonstrated that LF-B500 opened a new perspective on the use of liquid formulation-based natural products for ATL treatment.

Green Template-Mediated Synthesis of Biowaste Nano-Hydroxyapatite: A Systematic Literature Review

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a well-known calcium phosphate ingredient comparable to human bone tissue. HA has exciting applications in many fields, especially biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, osteogenesis, and dental implants. Unfortunately, hydroxyapatite-based nanomaterials are synthesized by conventional methods using reagents that are not environmentally friendly and are expensive. Therefore, extensive efforts have been made to establish a simple, efficient, and green method to form nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA) biofunctional materials with significant biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical strength. Several types of biowaste have proven to be a source of calcium in forming HA, including using chicken eggshells, fish bones, and beef bones. This systematic literature review discusses the possibility of replacing synthetic chemical reagents, synthetic pathways, and toxic capping agents with a green template to synthesize NHA. This review also shed insight on the simple green manufacture of NHA with controlled shape and size.

Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Nanorods Promote Bone Regeneration via Accelerating Osteogenesis of BMSCs through T Cell-Derived IL-22

Manipulations of morphological properties of nanobiomaterials have been demonstrated to modulate the outcome of osteoimmunomodulation and eventually osteogenesis through innate immune response. However, the functions and mechanisms of adaptive immune cells in the process of nanobiomaterials-mediated bone regeneration have remained unknown. Herein, we developed bone-mimicking hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods with different aspect ratios as model materials to investigate the impacts of the nanoshape features on osteogenesis and to explore the underlying mechanisms focusing on the functions of T cells and T cell-derived cytokines. HAp nanorods with different aspect ratios (HAp-0, HAp-30, and HAp-100) were implanted into mouse mandibular defect models. Micro-CT and hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that HAp-100 had the best osteogenic effects. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that HAp-100 increased the percentage of T cells in injured mandibles. The osteogenic effects of HAp-100 were significantly blunted in injured mandibles of TCRβ-/- mice. The Luminex xMAP assay and ELISA showed that HAp-100 induced a marked increase of interleukin (IL)-22 in injured mandibles. In cultured T cells, HAp-100 manifested the best capacity to induce the production of IL-22. Conditioned media from HAp-100-primed T cells promoted osteogenesis and JAK1/STAT3 activation in bone marrow stromal cells, all of which were abolished by neutralizing antibodies against IL-22. In summary, bone-mimicking HAp nanorods with different aspect ratios could regulate osteogenesis through modulation of T cells and IL-22 in the bone regeneration process. These findings provided insights for mediation of the immune response of T cells by nanomaterials on osteogenesis and strategies for designing biomaterials with osteoimmunomodulative functions.

Modern World Applications for Nano-Bio Materials: Tissue Engineering and COVID-19

Over the past years, biomaterials-based nano cues with multi-functional characteristics have been engineered with high interest. The ease in fine tunability with maintained compliance makes an array of nano-bio materials supreme candidates for the biomedical sector of the modern world. Moreover, the multi-functional dimensions of nano-bio elements also help to maintain or even improve the patients' life quality most securely by lowering or diminishing the adverse effects of in practice therapeutic modalities. Therefore, engineering highly efficient, reliable, compatible, and recyclable biomaterials-based novel corrective cues with multipurpose applications is essential and a core demand to tackle many human health-related challenges, e.g., the current COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, robust engineering design and properly exploited nano-bio materials deliver wide-ranging openings for experimentation in the field of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific research. In this context, herein, it is reviewed the applications and potential on tissue engineering and therapeutics of COVID-19 of several biomaterials. Following a brief introduction is a discussion of the drug delivery routes and mechanisms of biomaterials-based nano cues with suitable examples. The second half of the review focuses on the mainstream applications changing the dynamics of 21st century materials. In the end, current challenges and recommendations are given for a healthy and foreseeable future.

Removal of potentially toxic metal by biochar derived from rendered solid residue with high content of protein and bone tissue

The purpose of this study was to produce rendering animal carcass residue char (RACR-C) by pyrolyzing the solid residues of low-recyclable rendered pig carcasses and to evaluate their cadmium (Cd) adsorption characteristics and mechanisms. As the pyrolysis temperature increased, the inorganic content of RACR-C increased, while the carbon content decreased. In particular, the surface structure and chemistry of RACR-Cs prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures were well described by SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, TGA, and FTIR. The Cd adsorption characteristics of RACR-C were in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order models, and the Cd adsorption capacities of RACR-Cs prepared at various pyrolysis temperatures were in the order of RACR-C500 (73.5 mg/g)> RACR-C600 (53.8 mg/g)> RACR-C400 (41.5 mg/g) " RACR-C250 (15.9 mg/g). The intraparticle diffusion model suggested that the adsorption of Cd by RACR-C is greatly influenced by internal diffusion as well as external boundary. Since the Cd adsorption capacity of RACR-C is greatly influenced by the initial dosage, pH, and co-existing metals, it is necessary to manage these influencing factors when treating wastewater containing heavy metals. Our results suggest that Cd adsorption by RACR-C is a complex adsorption phenomenon by various mechanisms such as adsorption by functional group (C˭C and C-O), precipitation of Cd-P and ion exchange reaction by exchangeable cation occurring rather than by a single specific mechanism.

Investigation of various fatty acid surfactants on the microstructure of flexible hydroxyapatite nanofibers

The synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanofibers using various fatty acids and their influences on HA crystal characteristics were systematically explored.

Investigation on [OH−]-responsive systems for construction of one-dimensional hydroxyapatite via a solvothermal method

The concentration of OH⁻ can directly influence the crystal growth of flexible hydroxyapatite nanofibers in oleic acid-assisted solvothermal reaction systems.

Extraction and Characterization of Novel Natural Hydroxyapatite Bioceramic by Thermal Decomposition of Waste Ostrich Bone

A novel natural hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramic was extracted from the ostrich cortical bone by the thermal decomposition method. HAp was characterized by different analytical tools such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Removal of organic impurities from the bone powder was confirmed by TGA analysis. FTIR spectra of HAp confirmed the presence of the major functional groups such as phosphate (PO₄³⁻), hydroxyl (OH⁻), and carbonate (CO₃²⁻) in the bioceramic. The XRD data revealed that the HAp was the crystalline phase obtained by calcination of the bone powder at 950°C, and the SEM analyses confirmed the typical plate-like texture of the nanosized HAp crystals.

Controllable Synthesis of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Nanorods with High Osteogenic Bioactivity

The development of biodegradable materials with high osteogenic bioactivity is important for achieving rapid bone regeneration. Although hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been applied as a biomaterial for bone engineering due to its good osteoconductivity, conventional synthetic HAp nanomaterials still lack sufficient osteogenesis, likely due to their high crystallinity and uncontrollable architecture. A design of HAp nanoparticles mimicking bone features may create good microenvironments that promote osteogenesis for rapid bone regeneration. In this study, HAp nanoparticles with a comparatively less crystalline structure and nanorod shapes mimicking biological HAp nanocrystals of natural bone were fabricated using a simple chemical precipitation approach with mild temperature control in the absence of any organic solvents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that HAp nanorods with aspect ratios from 2.0 to 4.4 were synthesized by adjusting the reaction time as well as the reaction temperature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments displayed that HAp nanorods prepared at 30 °C (HAp-30 with an aspect ratio of 2.9) had a low crystalline structure and B-type CO₃^2- substitution similar to those of natural HAp originating from bone tissue. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results showed that the Ca/P ratio of HAp-30 was 1.66 ± 0.13. An in vitro biological evaluation against rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells indicated that the resulting HAp nanorods had excellent biocompatibility (with an ∼80-fold increase in IC50 compared to that of conventional HAp nanoparticles). Interestingly, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alizarin red S, and immunofluorescence staining results all showed that stem cells display an obvious osteogenesis dependence on the HAp nanostructure. Specifically, HAp nanorods with a moderate aspect ratio had the optimal osteogenic capacity (e.g., HAp-30 offered a 2.8-fold increase in ALP expression and a 4-fold increase in OCN expression relative to that provided by irregular HAp at day 14). It is expected that HAp nanorods with controllable architectures and size have potential as a kind of new bioactive bone filler for bone defect repair.

Synthesis of novel quaternary silica hybrid bioactive microspheres

PURPOSE

To survey the preparation of novel hybrid microspheres of quaternary silicate glassy composition (SiO₂ P₂ O₅ CaONa₂ O) and the prospect of using them as an osteogenic system with enhanced bioactive properties for the development of hydroxyapatite.

METHOD

In line with our previous synthetic procedure a two-step process was followed, wherein polystyrene (PS) microspheres were prepared by the emulsifier free-emulsion polymerization method and constituted the core for the sol-gel coating of the silicate inorganic shell. The development of the hybrid microspheres was based on silane and phosphate precursors and was assesses at different ratio of ethanol/water (of 9/1, 4/1, and 2/1, in mL) and at varied ammonia concentration of 4.8-1.0 mL.

RESULTS

The hybrid microspheres had an average size ranged between 350 and 550 nm according to SEM, depending on the ethanol/water solution rate and ammonia content. The final microspheres probably exhibited a porous-like structure through the formation of diffused voids along with the low carbon content of the EDX analysis, which could be regulated by the catalyst content. The hybrid microspheres exhibited effective in vitro bioactivity assessed in simulated body fluids (SBF).

CONCLUSION

Quaternary hybrid silica microspheres were effectively synthesized. The bioassay evaluation of the final microspheres revealed the rapid in vitro formation of a bone-like apatite layer. The results verify the bioactivity of the microspheres and promote further research of their suitability on regenerative treatment of bone abnormalities. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 112-120, 2018.

Biomimetic scaffolds based on hydroxyapatite nanorod/poly(D,L) lactic acid with their corresponding apatite-forming capability and biocompatibility for bone-tissue engineering

This study presents a facile synthesis of biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanorod/poly(D,L) lactic acid (HAp/PDLLA) scaffolds with the use of solvent casting combined with a salt-leaching technique for bone-tissue engineering. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to observe the morphologies, pore structures of synthesized scaffolds, interactions between hydroxyapatite nanorods and poly(D,L) lactic acid, as well as the compositions of the scaffolds, respectively. Porosity of the scaffolds was determined using the liquid substitution method. Moreover, the apatite-forming capability of the scaffolds was evaluated through simulated body fluid (SBF) incubation tests, whereas the viability, attachment, and distribution of human osteoblast cells (MG 63 cell line) on the scaffolds were determined through alamarBlue assay and confocal laser microscopy after nuclear staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and actin filaments of a cytoskeleton with Oregon Green 488 phalloidin. Results showed that hydroxyapatite nanorod/poly(D,L) lactic acid scaffolds that mimic the structure of natural bone were successfully produced. These scaffolds possessed macropore networks with high porosity (80-84%) and mean pore sizes ranging 117-183 μm. These scaffolds demonstrated excellent apatite-forming capabilities. The rapid formation of bone-like apatites with flower-like morphology was observed after 7 days of incubation in SBFs. The scaffolds that had a high percentage (30 wt.%) of hydroxyapatite demonstrated better cell adhesion, proliferation, and distribution than those with low percentages of hydroxyapatite as the days of culture increased. This work presented an efficient route for developing biomimetic composite scaffolds, which have potential applications in bone-tissue engineering.

Cell response to single-walled carbon nanotubes in hybrid porous collagen sponges

Three-dimensional (3D) porous collagen sponges incorporated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared and used for 3D culture of bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs). The pore structures of the sponges were controlled by using ice particulates as a porogen material. The responses of cells to SWCNTs were investigated in this 3D cell culture system by evaluation of cell functions and cellular uptake of SWCNTs. The results showed that cells adhered and spatially distributed in the porous sponges. The incorporation of SWCNTs in the porous sponges promoted cell proliferation and production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG). Confocal Raman imaging revealed that SWCNTs could be internalized by cells. The hybrid porous sponges not only provided nanostructured pore surfaces to facilitate cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion but also supplied nanomaterials for cellular uptake which may be useful for biomedical applications.