Papers by Author: Atsuro Yokoyama

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent chemical, physical, and biological properties such as strong cell adhesion, protein adsorption and cell proliferation in vitro. Excellent osteocompatibility for the CNT monolith was also reported in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of anodized titanium coated with multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) on human osteosarcoma Saos2 cells and bone tissue. Saos2 cells on CNT-Ti showed excellent proliferation with extension of cell morphology in all directions. CNT-Ti wire was implanted in the bone marrow of femurs of rats. At 2 weeks after surgery, histological investigations revealed that bone tissue attached to the surface of the CNT-Ti directly. Thus the surface modification of anodized Ti by MWCNTs can be effective for bone formation.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and their derivatives with different structure and compositions have unique features. In the present study, cell proliferation was performed on various nanotubes such as single walled CNTs, multiwalled CNTs and imogolite which is nanotubes of aluminosilicate. SEM observation of the growth of osteoblast-like cells cultured on CNTs showed the morphology fully developed for the whole direction, which was different from that extended to the one direction on the usual scaffold. Numerous filopodia were grown from cell edge, extended far long and combined with CNT meshwork. Apatite precipitation in simulated body fluid, affinity for proteins and saccharides, and nanosize meshwork structure with large porosity would be the properties responsible for these cell adhesion and growth. Imogolite showed the similar properties to CNTs. Nanotubes could be the favorable materials for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Nanoparticles may invade directly into the internal body through the respiratory or digestive system and diffuse inside body. The behavior of nanoparticles in the internal body is also essential to comprehend for the realization of DDS. Thus it is necessary to reveal the internal dynamics for the proper treatments and biomedical applications of nanoparticles. In the present study the plural methods with different principles such as X-ray scanning analytical microscope (XSAM), MRI and Fluorescent microscopy were applied to enable the observation of the internal diffusion of micro/nanoparticles in the (1) whole body level, (2) inner organ level and (3) tissue and intracellular level. Chemical analysis was also done by ICP-AES for organs and compared with the results of XSAM mapping.

Abstract: Both biochemical cell functional test and animal implantation test were done to investigate the reaction to fine particles. Particles cause nonspecifically phagocytosis to cells and inflammation to tissue for the size below 10m. With the size below 50nm particles may invade into the internal body through the respiratory or digestive system and diffuse inside body. Ti mapping by XSAM after the compulsory exposure test to the respiratory system showed the internal diffusion of 30nm TiO2 particles. They diffused with time course to lung, liver and spleen after injection from caudal vein. Nanoparticles might be the objects whose existence has not been assumed by the biophylactic system.

Abstract: Functionally graded materials (FGM) were fabricated for bio-medical applications, (1) implants, (2) dental core and post, (3) guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes. (1) FGM implants of Ti/HAP and TiN/HAP with the concentration changing gradually in the longitudinal direction of cylinder were fabricated to optimize both mechanical properties and biocompatibility in each region. Concentration gradient was formed by packing of dry powders into mold. Spark plasma sintering was effective for sintering of non-uniform composition in FGM. Brinel hardness decreased gradually from Ti part to HAP part, which contributes to stress relaxation in the implanted region of bone. In vivo tests showed that osteogenesis and maturation is more advanced in the HAP rich region. (2) FGM dental core and post made of composite resin was fabricated by laser lithography, one of the photo-curing type CAD/CAM systems. The elastic modulus changed gradually from 10.6GPa in core part to 2.9GPa at the apex of post by decreasing the filler content of ceramic powders from 64% to 0% in polymer matrix. Stress analysis using finite element method showed the stress relaxation by further 30 % in FGM, compared with the uniform composite resin. (3) Biodegradable GTR membrane composed of nano HAP/collagen reinforced with PLGA was prepared. The membrane has the three layer structure with the thickness of about 100μm for each where the composition of HAP/collagen is increased from pure PLGA. The graded membrane structure could give the different functions of the high degradation speed and Ca ion release to enhance osteoconductivity for bone remodeling in the high HAP/collagen side and the relatively low degradability to prevent the ingrowth of fibroblasts in the pure PLGA side.