Development of degradable and bioactive composite as bone implants by incorporation of mesoporous bioglass into poly(l-lactide)

Bioactive composites containing mesoporous bioglass (MBG) and poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) for bone regeneration were fabricated by solution casting method. The results showed that the compressive strength and hydrophilicity of the MBG/PLLA composites significantly improved with the increase of MBG content. In addition, the weight loss ratio of the composites in Tris–HCl solution was obviously enhanced with the increase of MBG content. Moreover, the composite containing MBG could compensate for the decrease of pH value by neutralizing the acidic products from PLLA degradation in the Tris–HCl solution. Furthermore, the MBG/PLLA composites could induce apatite formation on their surfaces after soaked into simulated body fluid (SBF), indicating good bioactivity. In cell culture experiments, the results showed that the composite could enhance cell attachment, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) of MC3T3-E1 cells, and the improvements were dependent on the MBG content in the composites. In short, the MBG/PLLA biocomposites with improved properties of hydrophilicity, degradability, bioactivity, neutralizing acidic degradable products and good cytocompatibility would be a promising orthopedic implant material for bone repair application.     

介孔纳米羟基磷灰石/左旋聚乳酸复合材料的制备及性能

为考察介孔纳米羟基磷灰石(MHA)/左旋聚乳酸(PLLA)复合材料的性能,以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)为模板合成MHA,采用溶液相分离结合粒子沥滤法制备了不同纳米粒子含量的MHA/PLLA多孔支架复合材料,考察了其抗压缩性能和淬断面微观结构。采用溶液浇注法制备了MHA/PLLA复合膜,并对其拉伸性能和拉伸断面微观结构进行了研究。FTIR、XRD、TEM和氮气吸附测试等结果显示:合成的MHA具有典型的晶体结构、介孔结构和较高的比表面积。力学测试结果显示:在发生10%压缩形变时,填料含量为1%、5%和10%的MHA/PLLA多孔支架复合材料的抗压缩强度随填料含量增加而提高,与相应含量的纳米羟基磷灰石(HA)/PLLA多孔支架复合材料相比,分别提高了约37.0%、67.7%和144.7%。在填料含量为5%和10%时,MHA/PLLA复合膜的拉伸强度较HA/PLLA复合膜分别提高约38.7%和46.1%,拉伸模量分别提高约35.4%和14.5%。而且MHA/PLLA复合膜具有更高的断裂伸长率,填料含量为1%、5%和10%时断裂伸长率分别较HA/PLLA复合膜提高约91.3%、79.7%和96.1%。FESEM结果显示:尤其当填料含量较高时,MHA/PLLA多孔支架复合材料或复合膜中填料粒子分布较HA/PLLA中均匀。结果表明:与HA/PLLA复合材料相比,随着MHA含量增加,MHA/PLLA复合材料具有更好的力学性能,MHA在PLLA基体中分布相对更均匀。     

分级多孔壳聚糖/聚乳酸复合支架的制备及骨修复性能

为了仿生莲藕内部的贯穿大孔结构,以生物相容性好的壳聚糖(CS)作为基质材料,利用冰粒致孔、石蜡模具和冰模具成型3种成型方法制备了分级多孔CS支架材料,然后与力学强度较高的聚乳酸(PLLA)复合,制备网络互穿CS/PLLA复合支架。通过SEM、压缩强度测试和兔股骨髁骨缺损模型对CS/PLLA复合材料的形貌、力学强度和骨修复性能进行了表征。结果表明:利用冰模具制备的CS/PLLA复合支架能可控、批量制备,具有微米-毫米分级多孔结构,大孔孔径约为2mm,内部均匀分布着孔径约为60μm的贯穿微孔,并在微孔内形成密集的PLLA絮状网络结构。干态复合材料的压缩强度和模量分别比纯CS支架的提高了6倍和15倍。体内植入实验结果表明,CS/PLLA复合材料能够促进骨缺损的愈合,并随着新骨的形成,复合材料逐渐被降解吸收。     

海藻酸钙水凝胶/聚乳酸复合材料的制备与性能

通过化学发泡-冷冻干燥-粒子滤出复合法制备聚乳酸(PLLA)大孔支架, 然后在大孔内以海藻酸钠(SA)、碳酸钙、葡萄糖酸内酯(GDL)为原料, 通过原位相转变制备海藻酸钙水凝胶/聚乳酸复合材料(CA/PLLA); 分别利用SEM、压缩强度测试和细胞培养对CA/PLLA支架的形貌、力学性能及生物相容性进行了研究。结果表明: PLLA具有直径小于2 mm、孔道相互连通的孔洞, 且在大孔中能够形成均匀的CA。CA/PLLA复合材料的压缩强度(2.74 MPa)远大于单一的海藻酸钙水凝胶的压缩强度(0.10 MPa)。在CA/PLLA复合支架中, 软骨细胞呈簇状圆形生长状态, 与其在天然软骨陷窝里生长状态一致。这种软硬结合、天然与合成高分子杂化的CA/PLLA复合材料的力学强度和生物相容性同时得到提高, 可进一步作为骨和软骨修复材料研究。     

介孔生物活性玻璃/脱钙骨复合支架的制备及性能研究

将介孔生物活性玻璃(MBG)与脱钙骨(DB)复合, 利用浸渍法制备出MBG/DB复合支架材料. 采用红外光谱(FTIR), 扫描电镜(SEM), X射线衍射(XRD), 电子万能材料试验机等方法对牛松质骨(CB)、DB、MBG/DB复合支架进行表征. 结果表明, CB经浸酸处理后制备的DB, 孔径大小在200~600μm范围内, 孔隙率约为71%, 抗压性能比CB明显降低(1.10±0.31)MPa, 而采用浸渍法制备的复合支架, 孔隙率降为40%左右, 而压缩强度明显提高(8.49± 2.14)MPa. 体外生物活性测试表明: 复合支架具有良好的生物活性.     

Fabrication of mesoporous calcium silicate/calcium phosphate cement scaffolds with high mechanical strength by freeform fabrication system with micro-droplet jetting

In this study, we explored the feasibility of fabrication bioactive mesoporous calcium silicate/calcium phosphate cements (MCS/CPC) scaffolds with high mechanical strength by Freeform Fabrication System with Micro-Droplet Jetting. After preparation of ordered mesoporous calcium silicate (MCS) powder, ready-to-use MCS/CPC paste was formed by mixing calcium phosphate cement (CPC) powder and MCS powder with the binder polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution at a certain ratio of powder to liquid. MCS/CPC scaffolds with various architectures, pore sizes, and interconnectivity were then directly printed at room temperature using MCS/CPC paste. The mechanical strength, apatite formation, degradation rate, and cytocompatibility of the composite scaffolds were systematically investigated. The results showed that MCS/CPC paste exhibited outstanding printability to form MCS/CPC scaffolds. The hybrid MCS/CPC scaffolds with predefined pore size of 350 μm showed fast degradation rate, high mechanical strength, and good cytocompatibility. It was indicated that the hybrid MCS/CPC scaffolds might be a promising candidate for critical bone defect repair.     

Needle-like nano hydroxyapatite/poly(l-lactide acid) composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering application

In this paper, a new nano-hydroxyapatite / poly (l-lactide acid) (nHAP/PLLA) composite scaffold comprising needle-like nHAP particles was prepared. In the first step, the identification and morphology of chemically synthesized HAP particles were determined by XRD, EDX, FTIR and SEM analyses. The needle-like nHAP particles with an average size of approximately 30–60 nm in width and 100–400 nm in length were found similar to needle-like bone nano apatites in terms of chemical composition and morphology. In the second step, nHAP and micro-sized HAP (mHAP) particles were used to fabricate HAP filled PLLA (HAP/PLLA) composites scaffolds using solid–liquid phase separation method. The porosity of scaffolds was up to 85%, and their average macropore diameter was in the range of 64–175 µm. FTIR and XRD analyses showed the presence of molecular interactions and chemical linkages between HAP particles and PLLA matrix. The compressive strength of nanocomposite scaffolds could high up to 8.46 MPa while those of pure PLLA and microcomposite scaffolds were 1.79 and 4.61 MPa, respectively. The cell affinity and cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite scaffold were found to be higher than those of pure PLLA and microcomposite scaffolds. Based on the results, the newly developed nHAP/PLLA composite scaffold is comparable with cancellous bone in terms of microstructure and mechanical strength, so it may be a suitable alternative for bone tissue engineering applications.     

大孔/介孔多级孔SiO2的制备及其在固定化脂肪酶中的应用

以具有三维骨架结构的环氧树脂大孔聚合物为模板,制备具有毫米级尺寸的大孔/介孔多级孔SiO_2。应用SEM、MIP、FTIR和N_2吸附-脱附法对材料孔道结构和表面性质进行表征。采用吸附法固定褶皱假丝酵母脂肪酶(CRL),研究CRL初始浓度、pH值及固定化时间对脂肪酶固定化的影响,对比研究了游离脂肪酶和固定化脂肪酶的酶学性质。结果表明,大孔/介孔SiO_2具有三维连续贯通的大孔孔道,孔壁由连续的SiO_2纳米薄膜构筑而成且表面存在丰富的介孔,比表面积为75.1m~2/g,孔隙率为92.3%;在CRL浓度为0.6mg/mL、pH值为8.0、固定化时间为10h时,固定化酶酶活达到4 825U/g。与游离脂肪酶相比,固定化脂肪酶的pH稳定性、热稳定性和储存稳定性明显提高,连续使用8次后的酶活为初始酶活的68%。利用环氧树脂大孔聚合物模板制备的大孔/介孔多级孔SiO_2在固定化酶方面具有良好的应用前景。     

A study on the in vitro degradation of poly(L-lactide)/chitosan microspheres scaffolds

Recent research shows that the addition of chitosan microspheres (CMs) to poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) can result in a composite scaffold material with improved biocompatibility and mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications. However, research regarding the influence of CMs on scaffold degradation is absent in the literature. This paper presents a study on the in vitro degradation of scaffolds made from PLLA with CMs. In this study, the PLLA/CMs scaffolds with a 25% ratio of CMs to PLLA were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at 37°C for 8 weeks. The in vitro degradation of the scaffolds was investigated using micro-computed tomography (μCT), weight loss analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Microstructure changes during degradation were monitored using μCT. The μCT results were consistent with the results obtained from Raman spectra and DSC analysis, which reflected that adding CMs into PLLA can decrease the degradation rate compared with pure PLLA scaffolds. The results suggest that PLLA/CMs scaffold degradation can be regulated and controlled to meet requirements imposed a given tissue engineering application.     

Preparation of chitosan/mesoporous silica nanoparticle composite hydrogels for sustained co-delivery of biomacromolecules and small chemical drugs

Abstract

We have developed composite hydrogels of chitosan (CS) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in this study. The gelation rate, gel strength, drug delivery behavior and chondrocyte proliferation properties were investigated. The introduction of MSNs into CS accelerated the gelation process at body temperature and also increased the elastic modulus G′ from 1000 to 1800 Pa. When we used gentamicin (GS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model small chemical drugs and biomacromolecules, respectively, the CS/MSN hydrogels released GS and BSA in a sustained manner simultaneously, but the CS hydrogels only showed sustained BSA release. Furthermore, in vitro chondrocyte culture showed that the CS/MSN composite hydrogels indeed performed much better in supporting chondrocyte growth and maintaining chondrocytic phenotype compared to the CS hydrogels. Therefore, the results suggest that the CS/MSN composite hydrogels can be potentially very useful for cartilage regeneration.     

Formation of bone-like apatite on poly(L-lactide) to improve osteoblast-like compatibility in vitro and in vivo

The biomimetic apatite coating process was adopted to modify poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) surfaces with osteoblasts-like cell compatibility. The apatite coating was formed on the pre-hydrolyzed PLLA film and scaffold surfaces by incubating in simulated body fluid (SBF). Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer were utilized to characterize the composition and the structure of the apatite coating. The cytocompatibility of the modified PLLA films was investigated by testing osteoblast-like attachment, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and cell cycle. Subsequently, the modified PLLA scaffolds were co-cultured with the osteoblasts-like in vitro and subcutaneously implanted into nude mice. The experimental results showed that the formed apatite had a nano-sized particle and matrix configuration. The surface modification of PLLA with apatite coating significantly promoted osteoblast-like compatibility. After a four-week culture in vivo, no significant inflammatory signs were observed in the implanted regions and osteoblast-like congeries with bone-like structure began to form in the scaffolds. The positive results of this study suggest a good way to produce desirable PLLA biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.     

One-pot synthesis of magnetic,macro/mesoporous bioactive glasses for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Magnetic and macro/mesoporous bioactive glasses were synthesized by a one-pot method via a handy salt leaching technique. It was identified to be an effective and simple synthetic strategy. The non-ionic triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (P123), was used as the structure directing agent for mesoporous structure but also as the reductant to reduce the iron source into magnetic iron oxide. The prepared materials exhibited excellent super-paramagnetic property with interconnected macroporous (200–300 μm) and mesoporous (3.4 nm) structure. Furthermore, their outstanding drug storage/release properties and rapid (5) induction of hydroxyapatite growth ability were investigated after immersing in simulated body fluid solution at 37 °C. Notably, the biocompatibility assessment confirmed that the materials obtained presented good biocompatibility and enhanced adherence of HeLa cells. Herein, the novel materials are expected to have potential application for bone tissue engineering.     

超级电容器用聚苯胺/有序介孔炭复合电极的性能

利用原位聚合法制备了聚苯胺/有序介孔炭复合材料.通过恒流充放电、循环伏安和交流阻抗测试考察了不同聚苯胺含量对聚苯胺/有序介孔炭复合材料电化学性能的影响.研究表明:与纯的有序介孔炭和聚苯胺相比,聚苯胺/有序介孔炭复合材料具有更高的比容量,良好的稳定性和充放电循环性能.当聚苯胺质量分数为60%,电流密度为0.1A·g-1时,比容量可以达到409F·g-1.     

Biodegradable polylactide/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite foam scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Supercritical carbon dioxide processing of poly-L-lactide (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (nHA) nanocomposites was investigated as a means to prepare foams suitable as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications. For given foaming parameters, addition of nHA to the PLLA gave reduced cell sizes and improved homogeneity in the size distribution, but did not significantly affect the degree of crystallinity, which remained of the order of 50 wt% in all the foams. The compressive modulus and strength were primarily influenced by the porosity and there was no significant reinforcement of the matrix by the nHA. The mechanical properties of the foams were nevertheless comparable with those of trabecular bone, and by adjusting the saturation pressure and depressurization rate it was possible to generate porosities of about 85 %, an interconnected morphology and cell diameters in the range 200-400 μm from PLLA containing 4.17 vol% nHA, satisfying established geometrical requirements for bone replacement scaffolds.     

Poly(L-lactic acid) nanocylinders as nanofibrous structures for macroporous gelatin scaffolds

Electrospun Nanofiber sheets have been shown to mimic the structure of extracellular matrix (ECM). Although these nanofibers have shown great potential for use as tissue engineering scaffolds, it is difficult for the electrospun nanofiber based sheets to be shaped into the desired three-dimensional structure. In this study, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester, was electrospun to produce nanofibers that were treated with an amino group containing base in order to fabricate polymeric nanocylinders. The aspect ratio of the PLLA nanocylinders was tunable by varying the aminolysis time and density of the amino group containing base. The effects of changes in nanofibrous morphology of the PLLA nanocylinders/macro-porous gelatin scaffolds on cell adhesion and proliferation were evaluated. The results revealed different cell morphology, adhesion, and proliferation in the nanocylinders composite gelatin scaffold versus gelatin scaffold alone. Confocal laser scanning microscopy observation showed more spreading and a more flattened cell morphology after NIH3T3 cells were cultured on PLLA nanocylinders/gelatin scaffolds for 10 hours and 4 days. These results indicate that the gelatin/PLLA nanocylinder composite is a promising way to fabricate 3D nanofibrous scaffolds that accelerates cell adhesion and proliferation for tissue engineering.     

In vitro behavior of osteoblast-like cells on PLLA films with a biomimetic apatite or apatite/collagen composite coating

To investigate the methods to improve the cell–material interaction of devices or tissue engineering scaffolds made of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) polymer, apatite and apatite/collagen composite coatings were formed on PLLA films within 24 h through accelerated biomimetic processes. In vitro investigation using Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells through cell culture was conducted to assess the biological performance of these biomimetic coatings. The cell morphology on three types of surfaces, viz., PLLA film, PLLA film with the apatite coating, and PLLA film with the apatite/collagen composite coating, was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell viability was estimated using the MTT assay. The differentiated cell function was assessed by measuring the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The results obtained indicated that the biomimetic apatite and apatite/collagen composite coatings could significantly enhance the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells. The apatite/collagen composite coating appears to be promising for the surface modification of PLLA-based devices with much improved interactions with osteoblastic cells.     

In Vitro Characterizations of PLLA/β-TCP Porous Matrix Materials and RMSC-PLLA-β-TCP Composite Scaffolds

To develop a novel degradable poly (L-lactic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) bioactive materials for bone tissueengineering, β-TCP powder was produced by a new wet process. Porous scaffolds were prepared by three steps, i.e. solventcasting, compression molding and leaching stage. Factors influencing the compressive strength and the degradation behaviorof the porous scaffold, e.g. weight fraction of pore forming agent-sodium chloride (NaCl), weight ratio of PLLA: β-TCP,the particle size of β-TCP and the porosity, were discussed in details. Rat marrow stromal cells (RMSC) were incorporatedinto the composite by tissue engineering approach. Biological and osteogenesis potential of the composite scaffold weredetermined with MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone osteocalcin (OCN) content evaluation. Resultsshow that PLLA/β-TCP bioactive porous scaffold has good mechanical and pore structure with adjustable compressive strengthneeded for surgery. RMSCs seeding on porous PLLA/     

New mesoporous silica/carbon composites by in situ transformation of silica template in carbon/silica nanocomposite

Hard template-based fabrication of mesoporous carbon unavoidably goes through the removal process of the template to generate template-free carbon replica, including troublesome disposal of template waste often accompanied by toxic etchant, which not only increases the fabrication cost of materials but also raises serious environmental concerns. As a novel strategy to overcome such problem, a direct in situ synthesis approach using silica waste in carbon/silica nanocomposite as a silica source and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a porogen under basic condition is reported in this study for the generation of a new composite composed of mesoporous MCM-41 silica and hollow carbon capsule. The resultant MCM-41/carbon capsule composite offers a 3-D interconnected multimodal pore system, which discloses a wide pore range of ordered uniform mesopores (ca 2.3?nm) resulting from MCM-41 silica and disordered uniform mesopores (ca 3.8?nm) and macropores (ca 300?nm) from hollow mesoporous carbon, respectively. The composite has a high specific surface area (ca 909?m²/g) and large pore volume (ca 0.73?cm³/g). The in situ transformation approach of silica waste into valuable mesoporous silica is considered as a promising scalable route for efficient new multi-functional composites useful for a wide range of applications such as adsorption of volatile organic compounds and radioactive wastes produced in a nuclear facility.     

Bioactive glass–poly (ε-caprolactone) composite scaffolds with 3 dimensionally hierarchical pore networks

Hierarchically mesoporous–macroporous–giant-porous bioactive glass/poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) composite scaffolds were prepared using a combination of the sol–gel method, evaporation-induced self-assembly process in the presence of nonionic triblock copolymer, EO₁₀₀PO₆₅EO₁₀₀ (F127), as template, salt leaching method, and rapid prototyping techniques. F127 acts as a template, inducing the formation of mesopores, NaCl with sizes between 25 and 33 μm provides macro-pores after leaching, and rapid prototyping produces giant-pores. The structure and morphology of the scaffolds were characterized by the field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Hg porosimetry. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were examined by the dynamic mechanical analysis. Their in vitro bioactivities were confirmed by immersing the scaffolds in simulated body fluid. Their biocompatibilities were also evaluated by culturing human bone marrow stromal cells on the scaffolds. The scaffolds show good molding capabilities, mechanical properties, 3 dimensionally well-interconnected pore structures, bioactivities, and biocompatibilities in vitro. Depending on the amount of NaCl, the scaffolds also show unique sponge-like properties, but still retain better mechanical properties than general salt leaching derived PCL scaffolds. All of the data provide good evidence that the obtained scaffolds possess excellent potential for applications in the fields of tissue engineering and drug storage.     

Fabrication of bioactive composite by developing PLLA onto the framework of sintered HA scaffold

Composite porous scaffolds of hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly-l-lactide (PLLA) were fabricated by a two-step immersing replication method. Structure and mechanical properties of both the single HA scaffold and the composite HA/PLLA scaffold were determined. The bioactivity of the scaffolds was evaluated by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and the formation of the apatite layer was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that without changing the highly interconnected porous structure, the HA/PLLA composite scaffold was mechanically enhanced to a great deal of extent compared with single HA scaffold. On the other hand, it is also suggested that the HA/PLLA scaffold was bioactive as it induced the formation of apatite on the surface of the composite scaffolds after soaking in SBF for 7 days.