Krzysztof Pałka

Biomedical potential of chitosan/HA and chitosan/β-1,3-glucan/HA biomaterials as scaffolds for bone regeneration — A comparative study

The aim of this work was to compare biomedical potential of chitosan/hydroxyapatite (chit/HA) and novel chitosan/β-1,3-glucan/hydroxyapatite (chit/glu/HA) materials as scaffolds for bone regeneration via characterization of their biocompatibility, porosity, mechanical properties, and water uptake behaviour. Biocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed in direct-contact with the materials using normal human foetal osteoblast cell line. Cytotoxicity and osteoblast proliferation rate were evaluated. Porosity was assessed using computed microtomography analysis and mechanical properties were determined by compression testing. Obtained results demonstrated that chit/HA scaffold possessed significantly better mechanical properties (compressive strength: 1.23 MPa, Youngs modulus: 0.46 MPa) than chit/glu/HA material (compressive strength: 0.26 MPa, Youngs modulus: 0.25 MPa). However, addition of bacterial β-1,3-glucan to the chit/HA scaffold improved its flexibility and porosity. Moreover, chit/glu/HA scaffold revealed significantly higher water uptake capability (52.6% after 24h of soaking) compared to the chit/HA (30.7%) and thus can serve as a very good drug delivery carrier. Chit/glu/HA scaffold was also more favourable to osteoblast survival (near 100% viability after 24-h culture), proliferation, and spreading compared to the chit/HA (63% viability). The chit/glu/HA possesses better biomedical potential than chit/HA scaffold. Nevertheless, poor mechanical properties of the chit/glu/HA limit its application to non-load bearing implantation area.

Chitosan/β-1,3-glucan/calcium phosphate ceramics composites—Novel cell scaffolds for bone tissue engineering application

Bone tissue engineering put emphasis on fabrication three-dimensional biodegradable porous scaffolds that possess ability to enhance adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells, therefore supporting bone regeneration and functional bone tissue formation. The aim of this work was to fabricate novel tri-component scaffolds composed of chitosan, β-1,3-glucan, and bioceramics and to evaluate their basic structural, mechanical, and biological properties. It should be noted that we are the first who describe fabrication and characterization of tri-component composites containing β-1,3-glucan. Microstructure of novel composites was visualized by computed tomography scanning and SEM. Compressive strength and Youngs modulus of the composites were evaluated by compression testing. The biocompatibility was assessed in vitro by cytotoxicity, cell attachment and cell proliferation tests using human foetal osteoblast cell line. Our results demonstrated that novel composites possess good compressive strength as the effect of polysaccharide components of scaffolds, are very elastic, are non-toxic, favourable to cell adhesion and promote cell proliferation. However, novel biomaterials revealed relatively low Youngs modulus values. Thus, we infer that fabricated novel composites are promising materials for bone tissue engineering application as cell scaffolds to fill small bone losses rather than as massive bone fillers exposed to mechanical load.

In vitro studies of nanosilver-doped titanium implants for oral and maxillofacial surgery

The addition of an antibacterial agent to dental implants may provide the opportunity to decrease the percentage of implant failures due to peri-implantitis. For this purpose, in this study, the potential efficacy of nanosilver-doped titanium biomaterials was determined. Titanium disks were incorporated with silver nanoparticles over different time periods by Tollens reaction, which is considered to be an eco-friendly, cheap, and easy-to-perform method. The surface roughness, wettability, and silver release profile of each disc were measured. In addition, the antibacterial activity was also evaluated by using disk diffusion tests for bacteria frequently isolated from the peri-implant biofilm: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro in a natural human osteoblasts cell culture. The addition of nanosilver significantly increased the surface roughness and decreased the wettability in a dose-dependent manner. These surfaces were significantly toxic to all the tested bacteria following a 48-hour exposure, regardless of silver doping duration. A concentration of 0.05 ppm was sufficient to inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, with the latter being significantly more susceptible to silver ions. However, after the exposure of human osteoblasts to 0.1 ppm of silver ions, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed by using ToxiLight™ BioAssay Kit after 72 hours. Data from the present study indicated that the incorporation of nanosilver may influence the surface properties that are important in the implant healing process. The presence of nanosilver on the titanium provides an antibacterial activity related to the bacteria involved in peri-implantitis. Finally, the potential toxicological considerations of nanosilver should further be investigated, as both the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties may be observed at similar concentration ranges.

Do Ca2+-adsorbing ceramics reduce the release of calcium ions from gypsum-based biomaterials?

Bone implantable materials based on calcium sulfate dihydrate dissolve quickly in tissue liquids and release calcium ions at very high levels. This phenomenon induces temporary toxicity for osteoblasts, may cause local inflammation and delay the healing process. Reduction in the calcium ion release rate by gypsum could be therefore beneficial for the healing of gypsum-filled bone defects. The aim of this study concerned the potential use of calcium phosphate ceramics of various porosities for the reduction of high Ca(2+) ion release from gypsum-based materials. Highly porous ceramics failed to reduce the level of Ca(2+) ions released to the medium in a continuous flow system. However, it succeeded to shorten the period of high calcium level. It was not the phase composition but the high porosity of ceramics that was found crucial for both the shortening of the Ca(2+) release-related toxicity period and intensification of apatite deposition on the composite. Nonporous ceramics was completely ineffective for this purpose and did not show any ability to absorb calcium ions at a significant level. Moreover, according to our observations, complex studies imitating in vivo systems, rather than standard tests, are essential for the proper evaluation of implantable biomaterials.

Microstructure and Interconnections Characteristics of Titanium Foam

Titanium foams are widely used as biomaterials and potentially as a twin skinned, sandwich, structures for aerospace structures, filter or a catalyst or catalysts carrier for chemical reactions. The porosity is particularly important for tissues ingrowth and vascularity. Open porosity is essential in the case of flow-on machines. The distribution and size of pores is significant to achieve a uniform material effort and ensure to receive an appropriate hydraulic properties.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of titanium particle size and the amount of porogen on the microstructure and the size of pore interconnections in titanium foams made using saccharose as the space holder material.The paper characterizes titanium foam, made from the Grade 1 Ti powders (Alfa Aesar) with a particle sizes of 0.150 mm and 0.044 mm (separately) and spherical particles of saccharose (Pfeifer & Langen) having an average size of 0.7 ÷ 0.9 mm, as a porogen. There was prepared a mixture of powders of the proposed porosity of 50, 60 and 70%. Summarizing 6 mixtures were prepared. After sintering there were received specimens having a diameter of 8 mm and a height of 5 mm. Microstructure analysis was performed using the microtomography Skyscan 1172 (Bruker microCT) and the CTAn software (Bruker microCT).The results indicate the uniform pore distribution and size of the interconnections allowing high permeability.

New method for the fabrication of highly osteoconductive β-1,3-glucan/HA scaffold for bone tissue engineering: Structural, mechanical, and biological characterization.

Recent studies have shown that thermal method for β-1,3-glucan (curdlan) gelation performed at temperature above 80°C enables fabrication of biocompatible bone scaffolds. The aim of this study was to establish new method for fabrication of β-1,3-glucan/hydroxyapatite (glu/HA) scaffold using ion-exchanging dialysis for curdlan gelation that allows for the modifications of the glu/HA material with thermo-sensitive agents like growth factors or adhesive proteins. Obtained results reveal that fabricated scaffold appears to be highly osteoconductive as it is nontoxic, promotes osteoblast growth and proliferation as well as increases bone alkaline phosphatase level thereby enhancing cell differentiation. It was demonstrated that developed new method for the glu/HA scaffold fabrication allows to obtain material that not only can be modified with thermo-sensitive agents at the stage of production process but also is a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications to act as a framework for osteoblasts to spread and form new bone. It should be noted that dialysis method for curdlan gelation has never been used before to fabricate bone scaffold.

Nanomaterials in dentistry: a cornerstone or a black box?

AIM The studies on tooth structure provided basis for nanotechnology-based dental treatment approaches known as nanodentistry which aims at detection and treatment of oral pathologies, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases, insufficiently being treated by conventional materials or drugs. This review aims at defining the role of nanodentistry in the medical area, its potential and hazards. MATERIALS & METHODS To validate these issues, current literature on nanomaterials for dental applications was critically reviewed. RESULTS Nanomaterials for teeth restoration, bone regeneration and oral implantology exhibit better mechanical properties and provide more efficient esthetic outcome. However, still little is known about influence of long-term function of such biomaterials in the living organism. CONCLUSION As application of nanomaterials in industry and medical-related sciences is still expanding, more information is needed on how such nano-dental materials may interfere with oral cavity, GI tract and general health.

Corrosion Properties of Ti Scaffolds Prepared with Sucrose as a Space Holder

In this work we shows procedure for new biomaterial - void metal composite (VMC) formation. We used a quasi-spherical sucrose crystals as a space holder material. In the process, titanium powder (different particle sizes) and sucrose were mixed together and uniaxially pressed to make a green compacts. In the next step the sucrose crystals were dissolved in water, leaving open spaces surrounded by metallic scaffold with different porosity (50 – 70%). Such prepared titanium scaffold was dried and sintered in vacuum. The foams morphology was investigated by SEM and CT. The corrosion tests of the as prepared materials were performed in Ringer`s solution using cyclic polarization measurements. We shows that Ti scaffolds prepared by using sucrose as a space holder have corrosion resistance comparable to bulk microcrystalline titanium.

Behavior of new hydroxyapatite/glucan composite in human serum

Biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration, including polymer-based composites, are typically evaluated in vitro prior to the clinical trials. However, such composites tested in vivo may behave different due to the specific body conditions. For example, some composites implanted into the tissue acidified due to transient postoperative inflammation may unexpectedly swell which delays the wound healing. Such massive swelling in acidic medium was previously observed for new elastic hydroxyapatite (HAp)/β-glucan biomaterial. However, in further clinical cases concerning the composite implantation in patients without significant inflammation indicators, no side effects were observed. Therefore, it was reasonable to test the effect of human serum of neutral pH (typical for noninflamed tissues) on the composite parameters, in particular volume changes. Thus, this article shows the characterization of physicochemical parameters of the composite after incubation (5 days) in human serum of neutral pH by means of weight and volume measurement, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, microcomputed tomography, mercury intrusion, and biochemical techniques. Results showed that human serum collected from healthy people caused no uncontrolled changes in weight and volume, porosity and mechanical properties of the composite. Therefore, this suggests the lack of volume change-related side effects of HAp/glucan composite in bone defects treatment if postoperative inflammation is prevented.

Effect of Recasted Material Addition on the Quality of Metal-Ceramic Bond: A Macro-, Micro-, and Nanostudy

Using the recasted alloys in dental prosthetics could affect the quality of the metal-ceramic bond. However, scientists, alloys producers, and prosthetists are still of different opinions. The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of recasting of the NiCrMo alloy on the metal-ceramic bond quality. The research was carried out on macro-, micro- and nanoscales using the three-point bending test procedure and hardness tests as well as atomic force microscopy and SEM analyses. The SEM analyses showed good integrity of the metal-ceramic bond. The index of all test samples was greater than 45 MPa. The highest values were recorded for the samples made of 50% and 100% of a brand new material. SEM analysis made after the bending test confirmed good metal-ceramic bond and exhibited adhesive-cohesive fracture. The largest hardness of metal plates was found for the samples containing 50% of the recycled material. Atomic force microscopy studies showed that the alloy containing 50% of the recycled material was characterized by the highest values of surface roughness parameters.