Mangiferin-Enriched Mn-Hydroxyapatite Coupled with β-TCP Scaffolds Simultaneously Exhibit Osteogenicity and Anti-Bacterial Efficacy

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) containing β-tricalcium phosphate and manganese (Mn)-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAP) was synthesized. Biomedical scaffolds were prepared using this synthesized powder on a sacrificial polyurethane sponge template after the incorporation of mangiferin (MAN). Mn was substituted at a concentration of 5% and 10% in HAP to examine the efficacy of Mn at various concentrations. The phase analysis of the as-formed BCP scaffold was carried out by X-ray diffraction analysis, while the qualitative observation of morphology and the osteoblast cell differentiation were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques. Gene expressions of osteocalcin, collagen 1, and RUNX2 were carried out using qRT-PCR analyses. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of ALP activity were observed with extended osteoblast induction on the mangiferin-incorporated BCP scaffolds. After characterization of the specimens, it was found that the scaffolds with 10% Mn-incorporated BCP with mangiferin showed better osteogenicity and simultaneously the same scaffolds exhibited higher anti-bacterial properties as observed from the bacterial viability test. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Mn and MAN in BCP for osteogenicity and antibacterial action.

Morphological and elemental mapping of gallstones using synchrotron microtomography and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Regional differences in gallstone (GS) composition are well documented in the Indian subcontinent. The reasons for the same are unknown. Etiopathogenesis of GS remains elusive despite advances in instrumentation. This was an in-depth analysis of the chemical, structural, and elemental composition of GS with special reference to synchroton studies.

METHODS

We used high-end sensitive analytical complementary microscopic and spectroscopic methods techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-XRF), and 2D and 3D synchrotron microtomography (SR-μCT), to study the ultra structure and trace element composition of three major types of GS (cholesterol, mixed, and pigment). SR-XRF quantified the trace elements in GS.

RESULTS

The cholesterol GS (monohydrate and anhydrate) were crystalline, with high calcium content. The pigment GS were amorphous, featureless, black, and fragile, with high calcium bilirubinate and carbonate salts. They had the highest concentration of iron (average 31.50 ppm) and copper (average 92.73 ppm), with bacterial inclusion. The mixed stones had features of both cholesterol and pigment GS with intermediate levels of copper (average 20.8 ppm) and iron (average 17.78 ppm).

CONCLUSION

SR-μCT has, for the first time, provided cross-sectional computed imaging delineating the framework of GS and mineral distribution. It provided excellent mapping of cholesterol GS. SR-XRF confirmed that pigment GS had high concentrations of copper and iron with bacterial inclusions, the latter possibly serving as a nidus to the formation of these stones.

Composition of gallbladder bile in healthy individuals and patients with gallstone disease from north and South India

BACKGROUND

Gallstones (GS) in south India (SI) are predominantly pure pigment or mixed, while in North India (NI), these are either pure cholesterol or mixed. While cholesterol rich gallbladder (GB) bile predicts cholesterol GS, constituent of bile in primary pigment GS is not known. We compared the composition of GB bile from healthy liver donors and patients with GS from north and south India.

METHODS

Gallbladder bile from healthy liver donors from north (10) and south India (8) served as controls. Cases were patients from north (21) and south India (17) who underwent cholecystectomy for GS disease. Gallbladder bile from both cases and controls was analyzed for cholesterol, lecithin (phospholipid), and bile salts. Gallstones were classified as cholesterol, mixed, and pigment based on morphology and biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

The median cholesterol concentration in control bile from north was significantly high compared to south (p<0.001) with no difference in lecithin and bile salts (p NS). Except for one sample each from north and south, the cholesterol solubility of controls was within the critical micellar zone. Mixed GS were most frequent in north India (61.9 %) while pigment GS dominated in south (61.9 %). The median cholesterol concentration in bile samples of cholecystectomy patients from north India was significantly high GS (p < 0.00001) with significant lowering of bile salts and lecithin (p < 0.00001). In south India, patients with mixed GS had high cholesterol content in bile compared to controls and patients with pigment GS; bile in latter had significantly higher concentration of bile salt compared to controls and mixed GS. The ternary plot confirmed the composition of GB bile from north and south India.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallbladder bile in controls and patients with GS from north India had significantly high cholesterol concentration. In south India, patients with mixed GS had cholesterol rich bile while pigment GS had higher concentrations of bile salts.

Risk profile for gallstone disease in southern Indian population: is there anything new?

AIM

There are reports of changes in demographic and morphological characteristics of gallstone (GS) disease in South Asian countries. The changes in dietary factors have not been previously reported. The aim of the study was to identify dietary factors and lifestyle patterns among southern Indian patients with GS disease.

METHODOLOGY

Seventy-one consecutive patients with GS disease were compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Baseline demographic characteristics, alcohol intake and smoking, and dietary details were noted and associations examined statistically.

RESULTS

The demographic and lifestyle variables were similar in both groups. Family history of GS disease and diabetes mellitus was higher among cases (16.9 %; p = 0.01; odds ratio (OR) 2.02; 95 % CI 1.58 to 2.58 for both). Vegetables consumed ≥ 2 times per week (OR 0.09; 95 % CI 0.04 to 0.21), fruits (OR 0.45; 95 % CI 0.20 to 0.99), and sugar (OR 0.27; 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.95) consumed ≥ 3 times per week were negatively associated with GS. Tea and coffee were taken less frequently by cases (2.5 vs. 2.9 cups/day; ANOVA p < 0.01). Tamarind (OR 27.6; 95 % CI 9.5 to 84.4), spicy foods (OR 6.6; 95 % CI 2.8 to 16.3), and fried foods (OR 9.1; 95 % CI 2.8 to 33.2) when taken ≥ 4 times per week and cooking oil ≥ 300 mL per month (OR 62.0; p < 0.0000) increased the risk for GS.

CONCLUSIONS

Several dietary preferences were associated with GS disease in this southern Indian population.

New insights into the chemical and isotopic composition of human-body biominerals. I: Cholesterol gallstones from England and Greece

We have analyzed gallstones from four patients of Europe and particularly from England (including samples from a mother and a daughter) and Greece. According to the XRD, FTIR, NMR and laser micro-Raman results the studied materials correspond to typical cholesterol monohydrate (ChM). The micro-morphology of cholesterol microcrystals was investigated by means of SEM-EDS. The XRF results revealed that Ca is the dominant non-organic metal in all gallstones (up to ∼1.95wt.%) together with Fe, Cu, Pb and Ni (up to ~19ppm for each metal). Gallstones from England contain additional Mn (up to ~87ppm) and Zn (up to ∼6ppm) while the sample of the mother contains negligible Zn and Mn, compared to that of her daughter, but significant As (~4.5ppm). All cholesterol gallstones examined are well enriched in potentially toxic metals (Pb, as well as Ni in one case) and metalloids (As also in one case) as compared to the global average. The position of Zn, which is a characteristic biometal, in the structure of cholesterol, was investigated by molecular simulation using the Accelrys Materials Studio(®) software. On the basis of IRMS results, all gallstones examined exhibit a very light δ(13)C signature (average δ(13)C ~-24‰ PDB). Gamma-ray spectrometry measurements indicate the presence of (214)Pb and (214)Bi natural radionuclides due to the (238)U series as well as an additional amount of (40)K.

Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of minor and trace elements in gallstones of Nigerian patients

Gallstone disease is a major health problem in many parts of the world. In Nigeria, however, only a few cases of gallstone disease are reported. Minor/trace elements are reported to play a significant role in the formation of gallstones. This study was conducted to assess the minor elements in gallstone of Nigerian patients who had cholecystectomy in our institution using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. We also compare the findings with previous reports from outside Nigeria. Fourteen patients who had cholecystectomy for calculous cholecystitis at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between March 2006 and July 2008, had the stone retrieved. The stones were analyzed for trace elements at the Center for Energy Research and Developments of the University using PIXE experiments. Certified standard reference material, NIST 1577a (bovine liver), was equally analyzed to confirm the accuracy of the experimental procedure. Computer code GUPIXWIN was used to analyze the data. Fourteen elements, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, bromide, lead, titanium, rubidium, and strontium, were detected in most of the samples. The concentrations of the elements varied in the different samples, ranging from a few parts per million to a few percent. Ca was the major constituent of all samples. The black sand-like samples had very high levels of P, S, K, and Pb, which were different from a previous report. The distribution of trace elements in stones in Nigeria patients is different from previous report outside Nigeria, and this may have some role in the occurrence of gallstones in the black African.