Hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol) coating on PDLLA/BCP bone scaffold for drug delivery and cell culture

Calcium Orthophosphate (CaPO4) Containing Composites for Biomedical Applications: Formulations, Properties, and Applications

The goal of this review is to present a wide range of hybrid formulations and composites containing calcium orthophosphates (abbreviated as CaPO4) that are suitable for use in biomedical applications and currently on the market. The bioactive, biocompatible, and osteoconductive properties of various CaPO4-based formulations make them valuable in the rapidly developing field of biomedical research, both in vitro and in vivo. Due to the brittleness of CaPO4, it is essential to combine the desired osteologic properties of ceramic CaPO4 with those of other compounds to create novel, multifunctional bone graft biomaterials. Consequently, this analysis offers a thorough overview of the hybrid formulations and CaPO4-based composites that are currently known. To do this, a comprehensive search of the literature on the subject was carried out in all significant databases to extract pertinent papers. There have been many formulations found with different material compositions, production methods, structural and bioactive features, and in vitro and in vivo properties. When these formulations contain additional biofunctional ingredients, such as drugs, proteins, enzymes, or antibacterial agents, they offer improved biomedical applications. Moreover, a lot of these formulations allow cell loading and promote the development of smart formulations based on CaPO4. This evaluation also discusses basic problems and scientific difficulties that call for more investigation and advancements. It also indicates perspectives for the future.

Silk Protein-Based Nanoporous Microsphere for Controllable Drug Delivery through Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquid System

Ionic liquids (ILs) showed a promising application prospect in the field of biomedicine due to their unique recyclability, modifiability, and structure adjustability. In this study, nanoporous microsphere of silk protein and blending with poly(d,l-lactic acid) as model drug delivery was fabricated, respectively, through an IL-induced self-assembly method. Their morphology, structure, and thermal properties were comparably investigated through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses, and the interaction mechanisms were also discussed to elucidate the effect of structure on drug delivery kinetics. The pure protein exhibited a bigger nanopore size in the microsphere compared to the composite one, facilitating more effective drug loading up to 88.7%. However, drug release was over 53.5% for the composite during initial 4 h, while pure protein was only about half of the composite. Both of them exhibited sustained slow release after 24 h and anticancer efficacy. Furthermore, the favorable compatibility between drug and microsphere vehicle was found and experienced improved thermal stability upon encapsulation, which could protect the drug molecules in high temperature at 200 °C. When the protein and its composite self-assembled to microspheres in ILs due to electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction, the drug could be infiltrated into the nanoporous matrix through biophysical action, and the protein structure displayed reversible transition during delivery. The sustained slow release from pure SF was attributed to the high β-sheet block action and strong drug-protein interactions, whose strength could be tuned through blending poly(d,l-lactic acid) with protein. These findings indicated that the SF-based nanoporous microspheres formed from IL self-assembled system are an ideal and potential drug delivery vehicle which can be incorporated into various biomaterials in the future.

Activity of vancomycin release from bioinspired coatings of hydroxyapatite or TiO2 nanotubes

Herein we investigate the efficiency of various biomimetic coatings for localized drug delivery, using vancomycin as key therapeutic drug, which is a widely used antibiotic for the treatment of strong infections caused by positive Gram bacteria. We evaluate classical hydroxyapatite and biomimetic hydroxyapatite-collagen coatings obtained by electrochemical deposition as well as TiO₂ nanotubes arrays obtained by electrochemical anodization. Surface morphology, compositional and structural data confirm the incorporation of vancomycin into the layers and drug release profiles for vancomycin evaluate their release ability. Namely, hydroxyapatite coatings lead to a ≈92% vancomycin release after 30h and hydroxyapatite-collagen to 85%, while the TiO₂ nanotubes layers lead to 78% release. The antibacterial effect of such drug loaded coatings is evaluated against S. aureus (Gram-positive bacteria). Our study shows that the vancomycin incorporated hydroxyapatite coatings lead to a faster release, while the nanotubular coatings may lead to longer time release and additionally both types of coatings ensure a good antibacterial inhibition.

Bioactive glass nanoparticles designed for multiple deliveries of lithium ions and drugs: Curative and restorative bone treatment

Lithium modified bioactive glass nanoparticles were prepared for multiple deliveries of lithium ions and drugs. The particle size, structure and thermal behavior of nanoparticles were analyzed using TEM, FTIR and DSC respectively. The porosity% and specific surface area of glass nanoparticles were about 68.6% and 224.92 (m(2)/g), respectively. The in vitro bioactivity evaluation in SBF revealed that glass nanoparticles were capable of inducing apatite layer over their surfaces. This could be considered as a good indicator for their future abilities to regenerate bone tissue in vivo. Also, lithium ions were released from glass nanoparticles via diffusion controlled process which could activate Wnt signaling pathway and enhance osteogenesis. As a final point, the possibility of utilizing the glass nanoparticles as a controlled delivery device for vancomycin or 5-FU was verified. Fitting vancomycin or 5-FU release profiles to various mathematical models pointed out that both drugs were released by a diffusion-controlled mode.

A Biomimetic Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Carrageenan Composite Scaffold with Oriented Microarchitecture

In general, the design of a scaffold should imitate certain advantageous properties of native extracellular matrix (ECM) to operate as a temporary ECM for cells. From this perspective, a biomimetic scaffold was prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) and carrageenan in which axially oriented pore structure can be formed through a facile unidirectional freeze-thaw method. We examined the feasibility of this oriented scaffold, which has better physicochemical properties than a non-oriented scaffold fabricated by the conventional method. The microenvironment of this oriented scaffold could imitate biochemical and physical cues of natural cartilage ECM for guiding spatial organization and proliferation of cells in vitro, indicating its potential in cartilage repair strategy. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the scaffold in vivo was demonstrated in a subcutaneous rat model, which revealed uniform infiltration and survival of newly formed tissue into the oriented scaffold after 4 weeks with only a minimal inflammatory response being observed over the course of the experiments. These results together indicated that the present biomimetic scaffold with oriented microarchitecture could be a promising candidate for cartilage tissue engineering.

The optical, wettability and hardness properties of polyethylene improved by alpha particle irradiations

In this work, the optical, chemical and morphological changes of alpha irradiated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated using UV/Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition to, the wettability and Vicker's Micro-Hardness have been studied using the contact angle measurements and Vicker's Micro-Hardness tester. The polymer samples are irradiated with different times of alpha particles. UV/Vis spectra show that the absorbance increases with increase in the irradiation time and the absorption edge shifts toward the higher wavelength. This indicates to a decrease in the optical band gap energy and an increase in number of carbon clusters. FTIR analysis reveals that the formation of CH groups and O-H has been observed and also indicated the presence of unsaturations due to vinyl end groups in the irradiated samples. Noticeable decreases in the contact angle of irradiated samples were observed. This decrease reflects the increase in the wettability and consequently the surface free energy. This behavior is due to the formation of oxidized layer on the irradiated surface polymer. Induced increasing in the Vicker's hardness in the irradiated polymers was observed, that can be attributed to crosslinking effects in the chain of the polymers.

Calcium Orthophosphate-Containing Biocomposites and Hybrid Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

The state-of-the-art on calcium orthophosphate (CaPO4)-containing biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials suitable for biomedical applications is presented. Since these types of biomaterials offer many significant and exciting possibilities for hard tissue regeneration, this subject belongs to a rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. Through the successful combinations of the desired properties of matrix materials with those of fillers (in such systems, CaPO4 might play either role), innovative bone graft biomaterials can be designed. Various types of CaPO4-based biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials those are either already in use or being investigated for biomedical applications are extensively discussed. Many different formulations in terms of the material constituents, fabrication technologies, structural and bioactive properties, as well as both in vitro and in vivo characteristics have been already proposed. Among the others, the nano-structurally controlled biocomposites, those containing nanodimensional compounds, biomimetically fabricated formulations with collagen, chitin and/or gelatin, as well as various functionally graded structures seem to be the most promising candidates for clinical applications. The specific advantages of using CaPO4-based biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials in the selected applications are highlighted. As the way from a laboratory to a hospital is a long one and the prospective biomedical candidates have to meet many different necessities, the critical issues and scientific challenges that require further research and development are also examined.

Fabrication and in vitro biological evaluation of photopolymerisable hydroxyapatite hydrogel composites for bone regeneration

The aim of this study was to improve the bioactive and compressive properties of photopolymerisable polyethylene glycol hydrogels with the incorporation of hydroxyapatite at different loadings. The synthesis of pure hydroxyapatite was verified through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis by the complete reaction of all constituents. The formation of a bioactive layer of the hydrogel based composites was confirmed through the formation of carbonate hydroxyapatite after soaking the samples in simulated body fluid. The incorporation of hydroxyapatite into the system resulted in an increase in Young’s modulus from 4.36 to 12.73 MPa and an increase in the stress at limit value from 1.20 to 4.42 MPa. This was due to the hydroxyapatite absorbing the compressive load, the polymer matrix distributing the load, a reduction in swelling and the presence of physical crosslinking between both components. Drug dissolution testing showed that the release rate of a drug from the hydrogels was dependent on the molecular weight of the polymer and the type of drug used.

Preparation and antibiotic drug release of mineralized collagen coatings on titanium

In this study, a mineralized collagen coating was electrolytically deposited onto titanium. The results showed that the mineralized collagen coatings with dense or porous morphology could be obtained. The mineral phase was mainly hydroxyapatite. In vitro evaluation showed the mineralized collagen coatings were stable in Kokubo's simulated body fluid, and displayed a good cytocompatibility in the cell multiplication test. The mineralized collagen coatings loaded with vancomycin hydrochloride showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus. The present mineralized collagen coating demonstrates good suitability for surface modification of orthopedic metal implants.

Biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials based on calcium orthophosphates

The state-of-the-art of biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials based on calcium orthophosphates that are suitable for biomedical applications is presented in this review. Since these types of biomaterials offer many significant and exciting possibilities for hard tissue regeneration, this subject belongs to a rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. Through successful combinations of the desired properties of matrix materials with those of fillers (in such systems, calcium orthophosphates might play either role), innovative bone graft biomaterials can be designed. Various types of biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials based on calcium orthophosphates, either those already in use or being investigated for biomedical applications, are extensively discussed. Many different formulations, in terms of the material constituents, fabrication technologies, structural and bioactive properties as well as both in vitro and in vivo characteristics, have already been proposed. Among the others, the nanostructurally controlled biocomposites, those containing nanodimensional compounds, biomimetically fabricated formulations with collagen, chitin and/or gelatin as well as various functionally graded structures seem to be the most promising candidates for clinical applications. The specific advantages of using biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials based on calcium orthophosphates in the selected applications are highlighted. As the way from the laboratory to the hospital is a long one, and the prospective biomedical candidates have to meet many different necessities, this review also examines the critical issues and scientific challenges that require further research and development.

Laser engineered multilayer coating of biphasic calcium phosphate/titanium nanocomposite on metal substrates

In this work, laser coating of biphasic calcium phosphate/titanium (BCP/Ti) nanocomposite on Ti-6Al-4 V substrates was developed. A continuous wave neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used to form a robust multilayer of BCP/Ti nanocomposite starting from hydroxyapatite and titanium nanoparticles. In this process, low power coating is realized because of the strong laser-nanoparticle interaction and good sinterability of nanosized titanium. To guide the optimization of laser processing conditions for the coating process, a multiphysics model coupling electromagnetic module with heat transfer module was developed. This model was validated by laser coating experiments. Important features of the coated samples, including microstructures, chemical compositions, and interfacial bonding strength, were characterized. We found that a multilayer of BCP, consisting of 72% hydroxyapatite (HA) and 28% beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and titanium nanocomposite was formed on Ti-6Al-4 V substrates. Significantly, the coating/substrate interfacial bonding strength was found to be two times higher than that of the commercial plasma sprayed coatings. Preliminary cell culture studies showed that the resultant BCP/Ti nanocomposite coating supported the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells.

Organic-inorganic composites for bone drug delivery

This review paper attempts to provide an overview in the fabrication and application of organic-inorganic based composites in the field of local drug delivery for bone. The concept of local drug delivery exists for a few decades. However, local drug delivery in bone and specially application of composites for delivery of drugs to bone is an area for potential research interest in the recent time. The advantages attained by an organic-inorganic composite when compared to its individual components include their ability to release drug, adopting to the natural environment and supporting local area until complete bone regeneration, which make them carriers of interest for local drug delivery for bone.