Agda Aline Rocha de Oliveira

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polyurethane films based on HDI with hydrolyzable crosslinked bonds and a homogeneous structure for biomedical applications.

Synthetic biodegradable polymers are considered strategic in the biomaterials field and are used in various applications. Among the polymers used as biomaterials, polyurethanes (PUs) feature prominently due to their versatility and the ability to obtain products with a wide range of physical and mechanical properties. In this work, new biodegradable polyurethane films were developed based on hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and glycerol as the hard segment (HS), and poly(caprolactone) triol (PCL triol) and low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) PEG as the soft segment (SS) without the use of a catalyst. The films obtained were characterized by structural, mechanical and biological testing. A highly connected network with a homogeneous PU structure was obtained due to crosslinked bonds. The films showed amorphous structures, high water uptake, hydrogel behavior, and susceptibility to hydrolytic degradation. Mechanical tests indicated that the films reached a high deformation at break of up to 425.4%, an elastic modulus of 1.6 MPa and a tensile strength of 3.6 MPa. The materials presented a moderate toxic effect on MTT assay and can be considered potential materials for biomedical applications.

Synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility of spherical bioactive glass nanoparticles for potential hard tissue engineering applications

Nanotechnology offers a new strategy to develop novel bioactive materials, given that nano-scaled biomaterials exhibit an enhanced biocompatibility and bioactivity. In this work, we developed a method for the synthesis of spherical bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNP) aimed at producing biomaterials for potential use in the repair of hard tissues. The BGNP were prepared using the sol-gel process based on the reaction of alkoxides and other precursors in aqueous media for obtaining the oxide-ternary system with the stoichiometric proportion of 60% SiO2, 36% CaO and 4% P2O5. The system was extensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy with regard to chemical composition, crystallinity and morphology. Moreover, the results suggested the BGNP to be highly bioactive, which was confirmed by the formation of a hydroxyapatite biomimetic layer on the material surfaces upon immersion in simulated body fluid solution. In addition, the bioactivity response toward the developed BGNPs was assessed by direct contact of osteoblast cells using resazurin and alkaline phosphatase assays. The new BGNP have presented a significant increase in the osteoblast in vitro cytocompatibility behavior as compared to similar micro-sized bioactive glass particles. Such improvement in the overall bioactive behavior of BGNP was attributed to the much higher surface area causing enhanced interactions at the cell-nanomaterial interfaces. Hence, based on the results, the BGNP produced are the biomaterials to be potentially utilized in hard tissue engineering applications.

Development of biodegradable polyurethane and bioactive glass nanoparticles scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

The development of polymer/bioactive glass has been recognized as a strategy to improve the mechanical behavior of bioactive glass-based materials. Several studies have reported systems based on bioactive glass/biopolymer composites. In this study, we developed a composite system based on bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNP), obtained by a modified Stöber method. We also developed a new chemical route to obtain aqueous dispersive biodegradable polyurethane. The production of polyurethane/BGNP scaffolds intending to combine biocompatibility, mechanical, and physical properties in a material designed for tissue engineering applications. The composites obtained were characterized by structural, biological, and mechanical tests. The films presented 350% of deformation and the foams presented pore structure and mechanical properties adequate to support cell growth and proliferation. The materials presented good cell viability and hydroxyapatite layer formation upon immersion in simulated body fluid.

Characterization and induction of cementoblast cell proliferation by bioactive glass nanoparticles

Cementum is a mineralized tissue that lines the surface of the tooth root enabling attachment of the periodontal ligament to the root and surrounding alveolar bone. Studies examining the mechanisms involved in the formation of root cementum have been hindered by an inability to isolate and culture the cells required for cementum production (cementoblasts). This study isolated and characterized cementoblast cells derived from rat molar periodontal ligament. It was observed that the isolated cells expressed F‐Spondin, a cementoblast marker, while F‐Spondin expression was not observed in the cells of other tissues such as gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts. As expected, the isolated cementoblast cells also expressed osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and type I collagen, demonstrating the presence of mineralized tissues genes in cementoblast cells. These cells showed high ALP activity and calcified nodule formation in vitro. Since cementogenesis could be a critical event for regeneration of periodontal tissues, this study investigated whether bioactive glass particles could affect the proliferation of cementoblasts since they are known to enhance osteoblast proliferation. It was found that the ionic products from bioactive glass nanoparticles increased cementoblast viability, mitochondrial activity, and induced cell proliferation. Together, these results show the characterization of cementoblast cells from rat molar periodontal ligament. Additionally, it was shown that bioactive glass nanoparticles induced cementoblast to proliferate, indicating that they could be a potential material for use in cement regeneration through tissue engineering. Copyright

Effect of polyvinyl alcohol content and after synthesis neutralization on structure, mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of sol-gel derived hybrid foams

Bioactive glass/polymer hybrids are promising materials for biomedical applications because they combine the bioactivity of these glasses with the flexibility of polymers. In this work it was evaluated the effect of increasing the PVA content of the on structural characteristics and mechanical properties of hybrid. The hybrids were prepared with 70 wt. (%) SiO2-30 wt. (%) CaO and PVA fractions of 20 to 60 wt. (%) by the sol-gel method. The structural and mechanical characterization was done by FTIR, SEM and compression tests. To reduce the acidic character of the hybrids due to the catalysts added, different neutralization solutions were tested. The calcium acetate alcoholic solution was the best neutralizing method, resulting in foams with final pH of about 7.0 and small sample contraction. The foams presented porosity of 60-85 wt. (%) and pore diameters of 100-500 μm with interconnected structure. An increase of PVA fraction in the hybrids improved their mechanical properties. The scaffolds produced provided a good environment for the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts.

Tailoring Mechanical Behavior of PVA-Bioactive Glass Hybrid Foams

Porous scaffolds have been developed in many forms and materials, but few have reached the combination of adequate physical, biological and mechanical properties. In previous works hybrid foams bioactive glass polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by the sol-gel process for application as scaffold for bone tissue engineering. We observed that synthesis parameters such as PVA hydrolysis grade, PVA solution concentration, and PVA content in the hybrids affected both synthesis results and structural characteristics of the obtained foams. A marked change in foaming behavior occurs for PVA contents around 60%. In this work we analyze the effect of different compositions and synthesis parameters on the mechanical behavior of PVA-bioative glass foams. The compression tests showed that an increase of PVA fraction changes the mechanical behavior due to different mechanisms leading to cell collapse. For hybrids with lower PVA contents (20 to 30%) the cell collapse is due to brittle crushing. For intermediate polymer content (40-60%) the contribution of plastic yielding in the plateau region increases and it becomes the predominant mechanism of cell collapse for samples with higher polymer content (70-80%).

Comparative Effect of the Ionic Products from Bioactive Glass Dissolution on the Behavior of Cementoblasts, Osteoblasts, and Fibroblasts

The cementum, a mineralized tissue lining the tooth root surface, is required for development of a functional periodontal ligament. The presence of healthy cementum is considered to be an important criterion for predictable restoration of periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of disease. Despite the importance of cementum to general oral health, very little is known about the cells responsible for the formation of cementum, cementoblasts. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the ionic products from the dissolution of bioactive glass with 60% of silica ( BG60S ) on the behavior of cementoblasts, osteoblasts and fibroblasts. The cell viability was tested by MTT assay based on mitochondria activity of the cell and Trypan Blue assay based on membrane cell viability. The membrane cell viability measured by Trypan Blue assay showed the beneficial effect on all the cell types tested. It was observed a higher proliferation in the presence of ionic products from dissolution of BG60S when compared to control. In the MTT assay we also observed increased cell viability on all the cell types, but proliferation of cementoblasts was higher (107%) than observed for the other cells (104%) compared to control. The results from this study suggest that Cementoblasts, osteoblasts and fibroblasts are important cells on events that control the development of mineralizing and not mineralizing tissues and the investigation of the comparative behavior of these cells can be a useful experimental model. The observed effect of the bioactive glass particles on cementoblasts shows that this material is an interesting alternative to be used in composite membranes for cementum tissue engineering.

Structural analysis of fluorine‐containing bioactive glass nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel route assisted by ultrasound energy

In the last decades, studies about the specific effects of bioactive glass on remineralization of dentin were the focus of attention, due to their excellent regenerative properties in mineralized tissues. The incorporation of Fluorine in bioactive glass nanoparticles may result in the formation of fluorapatite (FAP), which is chemically more stable than hydroxyapatite or carbonated hydroxyapatite, and therefore is of interest for dental applications. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize a new system of Fluorine-containing bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNPF). A sol-gel route assisted by ultrasound was used for the synthesis of BGNPF. The particles obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nitrogen adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SEM micrographs showed that the particles are quite uniform spherical nanostructures, occurring agglomeration or partial sinterization of the particulate system after heat treatment. XRD and XPS analysis results suggest the formation of fluorapatite crystals embedded within the matrix of the bioactive glass nanoparticles.

The Evolution, Control, and Effects of the Compositions of Bioactive Glasses on Their Properties and Applications

Bioactive glasses have been extensively studied for several applications, and understanding their structures is very important for the design of alternative materials and comprehension of the behaviors of these materials. The dissolution products of bioactive glasses are critical for their performance and application and heavily depend on the bioactive glass network. The incorporation of physiologically active ions into their structures and the controlled ion release can lead to therapeutic benefits, such as cell differentiation, antibacterial action, and anti-inflammatory effects, improving the properties of the bioactive glasses. This chapter covers literature reports that have investigated the physicochemical and biological properties of bioactive glasses based on their structures. In particular, recent advances in the understanding of the effects of bioactive glasses with different compositions, which are fabricated via the incorporation of several different ions, on their biological properties and applications are summarized and discussed. This chapter provides an overview of new tissue engineering approaches based on therapeutic ion release, which aids in understanding how the chemical composition can be tailored according to each application.

Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles for Periodontal Regeneration and Applications in Dentistry

The introduction of the chapter describes the importance of bioactive glass nanoparticles and their applications in dentistry. The second section describes the composition, structure, and synthesis of bioactive glass nanoparticles. The bioactivity mechanism and effect of particle size on the bioactivity are discussed in the third section. The fourth and fifth sections discuss bioactive glass nanoparticle applications in dentistry, especially the research and clinical application in periodontal regeneration. Finally, bioactive glass nanocomposites for dental applications are briefly addressed and the future of nanotechnology in dental tissue regeneration is discussed.