Preparation and in vitro bioactivities of calcium silicate nanophase materials

Design and development of 3D printed shape memory triphasic polymer-ceramic bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering require considerable mechanical strength to repair damaged bone defects. In this study, we designed and developed mechanically competent composite shape memory triphasic bone scaffolds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) three dimensional (3D) printing. Wollastonite particles (WP) were incorporated into the poly lactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix as a reinforcing agent (up to 40 wt%) to harness osteoconductive and load-bearing properties from the 3D printed scaffolds. PCL as a minor phase (20 wt%) was added to enhance the toughening effect and induce the shape memory effect in the triphasic composite scaffolds. The 3D-printed composite scaffolds were studied for morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties, in vitro degradation, biocompatibility, and shape memory behaviour. The composite scaffold had interconnected pores of 550 μm, porosity of more than 50%, and appreciable compressive strength (∼50 MPa), which was over 90% greater than that of the pristine PLA scaffolds. The flexural strength was improved by 140% for 40 wt% of WP loading. The inclusion of WP did not affect the thermal property of the scaffolds; however, the inclusion of PCL reduced the thermal stability. An accelerated in vitro degradation was observed for WP incorporated composite scaffolds compared to pristine PLA scaffolds. The inclusion of WP improved the hydrophilic property of the scaffolds, and the result was significant for 40 wt% WP incorporated composite scaffolds having a water contact angle of 49.61°. The triphasic scaffold exhibited excellent shape recovery properties with a shape recovery ratio of ∼84%. These scaffolds were studied for their protein adsorption, cell proliferation, and bone mineralization potential. The incorporation of WP reduced the protein adsorption capacity of the composite scaffolds. The scaffold did not leach any toxic substance and demonstrated good cell viability, indicating its biocompatibility and growth-promoting behavior. The osteogenic potential of the WP incorporated scaffolds was observed in MC3T3-E1 cells, revealing early mineralization in pre-osteoblast cells cultured in different WP incorporated composite scaffolds. These results suggest that 3D-printed WP reinforced PLA/PCL composite bioactive scaffolds are promising for load bearing bone defect repair.

Bioactive Materials for Soft Tissue Repair

Over the past decades, age-related pathologies have increased abreast the aging population worldwide. The increased age of the population indicates that new tools, such as biomaterials/scaffolds for damaged tissues, which display high efficiency, effectively and in a limited period of time, for the regeneration of the body's tissue are needed. Indeed, scaffolds can be used as templates for three-dimensional tissue growth in order to promote the tissue healing stimulating the body's own regenerative mechanisms. In tissue engineering, several types of biomaterials are employed, such as bioceramics including calcium phosphates, bioactive glasses, and glass-ceramics. These scaffolds seem to have a high potential as biomaterials in regenerative medicine. In addition, in conjunction with other materials, such as polymers, ceramic scaffolds may be used to manufacture composite scaffolds characterized by high biocompatibility, mechanical efficiency and load-bearing capabilities that render these biomaterials suitable for regenerative medicine applications. Usually, bioceramics have been used to repair hard tissues, such as bone and dental defects. More recently, in the field of soft tissue engineering, this form of scaffold has also shown promising applications. Indeed, soft tissues are continuously exposed to damages, such as burns or mechanical traumas, tumors and degenerative pathology, and, thereby, thousands of people need remedial interventions such as biomaterials-based therapies. It is known that scaffolds can affect the ability to bind, proliferate and differentiate cells similar to those of autologous tissues. Therefore, it is important to investigate the interaction between bioceramics and somatic/stem cells derived from soft tissues in order to promote tissue healing. Biomimetic scaffolds are frequently employed as drug-delivery system using several therapeutic molecules to increase their biological performance, leading to ultimate products with innovative functionalities. This review provides an overview of essential requirements for soft tissue engineering biomaterials. Data on recent progresses of porous bioceramics and composites for tissue repair are also presented.

Defects and Calcium Diffusion in Wollastonite

Wollastonite (CaSiO3) is an important mineral that is widely used in ceramics and polymer industries. Defect energetics, diffusion of Ca ions and a solution of dopants are studied using atomistic-scale simulation based on the classical pair potentials. The energetically favourable defect process is calculated to be the Ca-Si anti-site defect cluster in which both Ca and Si swap their atomic positions simultaneously. It is calculated that the Ca ion migrates in the ab plane with an activation energy of 1.59 eV, inferring its slow diffusion. Favourable isovalent dopants on the Ca and Si sites are Sr2+ and Ge4+, respectively. Subvalent doping by Al on the Si site is a favourable process to incorporate additional Ca in the form of interstitials in CaSiO3. This engineering strategy would increase the capacity of this material.

Modification of glass ionomer cements on their physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to provide an insight about the factors affecting the properties of glass ionomer cements and provides a review regarding studies that are related to modification of glass ionomer cements to improve their properties, particularly on physical-mechanical and antimicrobial activity.

METHODS

PubMed and Science Direct were searched for papers published between the years 1974 and 2018. The search was restricted to articles written in English related to modification of glass ionomer cements. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. The search included literature reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Articles written in other languages, without available abstracts and those related to other field were excluded. About 198 peer-review articles in the English language were reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Based on the finding, most of the modification has improved physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve their antimicrobial properties. However, the attempts were reported to compromise the physical-mechanical properties of modified glass ionomer cements.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

As the modification of glass ionomer cement with different material improved the physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties, it could be used as restorative material for wider application in dentistry.

Synthesis of Wollastonite Powders by Combustion Method: Role of Amount of Fuel

The objective of this work has been the synthesis of wollastonite by solution combustion method. The novelty of this work has been obtaining the crystalline phase without the need of thermal treatments after the synthesis. For this purpose, urea was used as fuel. Calcium nitrate was selected as a source of calcium and colloidal silica served as a source of silicon. The effect of the amount of fuel on the combustion process was investigated. Temperature of the combustion reaction was followed by digital pyrometry. The obtained products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and specific surface area. The results showed that the combustion synthesis provides nanostructured powders characterized by a high surface area. When excess of urea was used, wollastonite-2M was obtained with a submicronic structure.

Enhanced bioactivity of glass ionomer cement by incorporating calcium silicates

Glass ionomer cements (GIC) are known as a non-bioactive dental cement. During setting the GIC have an acidic pH, driven by the acrylic acid component. It is a challenge to make GIC alkaline without disturbing its mechanical properties. One strategy was to add slowly reacting systems with an alkaline pH. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possibility of forming a bioactive dental material based on the combination of glass ionomer cement and calcium silicates. Two types of GIC were used as control. Wollastonite (CS also denoted β-CaSiO3) or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) was incorporated into the 2 types of GIC. The material formulations' setting time, compressive strength, pH and bioactivity were compared between modified GIC and GIC control. Apatite crystals were found on the surfaces of the modified cements but not on the control GIC. The compressive strength of the cement remained with the addition of 20% calcium silicate or 20% MTA after one day immersion. In addition, the compressive strength of GIC modified with 20% MTA had been increased during the 14 d immersion (p < 0 .05).

Substantial enhancement of corrosion resistance and bioactivity of magnesium by incorporating calcium silicate particles

We discovered that calcium silicate is an effective reinforcement phase to improve the corrosion resistance, mechanical strength and biological performance of Mg or Mg-based alloys to overcome their major drawbacks for orthopedic implant applications.

Tracking the transformations of mesoporous microspheres of calcium silicate hydrate at the nanoscale upon ibuprofen release: a XANES and STXM study

XANES and STXM imaging of mesoporous CSH microspheres indicate that amorphous silica provide aggregation site of HAp, and amorphous CaCO₃ was formed during CSH biomineralization.

Preparation, characterization, in vitro bioactivity, and cellular responses to a polyetheretherketone bioactive composite containing nanocalcium silicate for bone repair

In this study, a nanocalcium silicate (n-CS)/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bioactive composite was prepared using a process of compounding and injection-molding. The mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and in vitro bioactivity of the composite, as well as the cellular responses of MC3T3-E1 cells (attachment, proliferation, spreading, and differentiation) to the composite, were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the composites were significantly improved by the addition of n-CS to PEEK. In addition, an apatite-layer formed on the composite surface after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 days. In cell culture tests, the results revealed that the n-CS/PEEK composite significantly promoted cell attachment, proliferation, and spreading compared with PEEK or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Moreover, cells grown on the composite exhibited higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, more calcium nodule-formation, and higher expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes than cells grown on PEEK or UHMWPE. These results indicated that the incorporation of n-CS to PEEK could greatly improve the bioactivity and biocompatibility of the composite. Thus, the n-CS/PEEK composite may be a promising bone repair material for use in orthopedic clinics.

A review of the bioactivity of hydraulic calcium silicate cements

OBJECTIVES

In tissue regeneration research, the term "bioactivity" was initially used to describe the resistance to removal of a biomaterial from host tissues after intraosseous implantation. Hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) are putatively accepted as bioactive materials, as exemplified by the increasing number of publications reporting that these cements produce an apatite-rich surface layer after they contact simulated body fluids.

METHODS

In this review, the same definitions employed for establishing in vitro and in vivo bioactivity in glass-ceramics, and the proposed mechanisms involved in these phenomena are used as blueprints for investigating whether HCSCs are bioactive.

RESULTS

The literature abounds with evidence that HCSCs exhibit in vitro bioactivity; however, there is a general lack of stringent methodologies for characterizing the calcium phosphate phases precipitated on HCSCs. Although in vivo bioactivity has been demonstrated for some HCSCs, a fibrous connective tissue layer is frequently identified along the bone-cement interface that is reminiscent of the responses observed in bioinert materials, without accompanying clarifications to account for such observations.

CONCLUSIONS

As bone-bonding is not predictably achieved, there is insufficient scientific evidence to substantiate that HCSCs are indeed bioactive. Objective appraisal criteria should be developed for more accurately defining the bioactivity profiles of HCSCs designed for clinical use.

Preparation of luminescent and mesoporous Eu3+/Tb3+ doped calcium silicate microspheres as drug carriers via a template route

Luminescent and mesoporous Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) doped calcium silicate microspheres (LMCS) were synthesized by using mesoporous silica spheres as the templates. The LMCS and drug-loaded samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N(2) adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results reveal that the LMCS have uniform spherical morphology with a diameter around 400 nm and the mesopore size of 6 nm. The prepared samples exhibit little cytotoxicity at concentrations below 5 mg mL(-1) via MTT assay. In addition, drug storage/release properties of the LMCS were demonstrated for ibuprofen (IBU). The obtained LMCS can be used to encapsulate drugs and release them. Under excitation by UV light, the IBU-loaded samples still show the characteristic (5)D(0)-(7)F(1-3) emission lines of Eu(3+) and the characteristic (5)D(4)-(7)F(3-6) emission lines of Tb(3+). The PL intensity of Eu(3+) in the drug carrier system increases with the cumulative released amount of IBU, making the drug release able to be tracked or monitored by the change of luminescence of Eu(3+). The LMCS reported here with mesoporous structure, good biocompatibility and luminescent property can be a promising drug delivery carrier.

Mesoporous calcium silicate for controlled release of bovine serum albumin protein

The purpose of this study is to synthesize mesoporous calcium silicate (CS or wollastonite, CaSiO(3)) and evaluate its possible application in protein/drug delivery. First, calcium silicate was synthesized by wet chemical method and then mesoporosity was created by acid modification of the synthesized CS particle using hydrochloric acid at pH 7, 4.5, and 0.5. The results showed that a hydrated silica gel with abundant Si-OH functional group formed on the surface of calcium silicate due to acid modification. This surface layer had mesoporous structure, with pore diameter between 4 and 5 nm. BET specific average surface area increased to 221, 333, and 356 m(2) g(-1) due to acid modification at pH 7, 4.5, and 0.5, respectively, whereas the surface area for unmodified CS particles was 65 m(2) g(-1). Protein adsorption studies indicated that mesoporous CS has higher ability to adsorb bovine serum albumin and lysozyme compared to unmodified particles. The release kinetics showed that proteins on mesoporous CS released sequentially over one week, whereas the proteins on unmodified particle followed burst release kinetics within a few hours. Human osteoblast cell-material interaction study showed that these materials were biocompatible and promoted excellent bone cell proliferation. In summary, this work has demonstrated the potential to produce mesoporous CS as a carrier for protein/drug delivery for bone regeneration and other biomedical applications.

In vitro bioactivity and degradation of polycaprolactone composites containing silicate fillers

In spite of numerous publications on the potential use of combinations of polycaprolactone (PCL)/bioactive fillers for bone regeneration, little information exists on the assessment of solid, nonporous composites prepared via solventless routes and consisting of unmodified, slowly degrading homopolymer with relatively low amounts of reactive fillers such as bioglass or calcium silicate (CS). Thus, composites of PCL with commercial CS and a bioactive glass (BG45S5) at 30wt.% were produced by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder. Neat fillers, PCL and their composites were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate buffer saline and tested for in vitro bioactivity and degradation, respectively, over a 4 month period. Testing methods included scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and weight and pH changes before and after immersion. Experiments with neat fillers indicated fast growth of calcium phosphate minerals having different textures; they included clusters and globules of mineral precipitates as well as needle-shaped nanosized crystallites and possibly other calcium phosphate structures with varying Ca/P ratio. The bioactive glass composite initially showed fast growth of the precipitated minerals and partial surface coverage after 1 week, whereas in the CS composite, growth and surface coverage increased as a function of immersion time (over a period of 4 weeks) in the SBF solution. XRD results showed early appearance (1 week) of hydroxyapatite for both types of composites with differences attributed to different dissolution rates and different surface reactions of the fillers. Both fillers appeared to enhance the hydrolytic degradation of the matrix. Overall, the limited observed bioactivity of both composites within the test period may be related to the hydrophobicity of the matrix, insufficient ionic activity since SBF was not replenished and the relatively low content of the low surface areas fillers. Optimization of filler properties, such as surface/volume ratio, surface chemistry and size range, appears as a most important factor that would provide, at the required high filler volume fractions, a balance of melt processability and bioactivity.