Papers by Author: Luiz Eduardo Almeida

Abstract: In this work, nanocomposites of hydroxyapatite and Pluronic F127 were prepared by a wet chemical method, using acid-basic reaction with Ca/P ratio of 1.67 in 10% (m/V) Pluronic F127 at 0, 37 and 90°C. The final concentration of Pluronic F127 was adjusted to 37% (m/V) at 4°C. Afterwards, the samples were lyophilized. Characterization was performed in purified samples (after Pluronic F127 removal), samples with 10% (m/V) of Pluronic F127 and calcined samples at 1000°C by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Analyses by XRD of non-calcined samples showed that hydroxyapatite was obtained, in which the samples prepared at 0°C exhibited larger peaks attributed to lower crystallite sizes. For the calcined samples, both Raman spectroscopy and XRD exhibited hydroxyapatite for the syntheses at 37 and 90°C whereas the one prepared 90°C were identified as β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Morphological analysis by SEM indicated that the hydroxyapatite was sphere or rod agglomerates in mesoporous morphology for the nanocomposites prepared at 0 and 37°C, while the sample prepared at 90°C was nanospheres agglomerated into a smother matrix. After Pluronic F127 removal, samples fabricated at 0 and 37 °C exhibited coalescence of the nanostructures, whereas the sample synthesized at 90°C kept mesoporous. Calcined samples showed sintering and some rods structures.

Abstract: Hybrid composites with chitosan (CHI), silk fibroin (SF) and hydroxyapatite (HA) are biocompatible and attractive for bone engineering applications. The objective of this work was to evaluate in vitro cells behavior in contact with CHI-SF-HA scaffolds. The scaffolds were produced from a chitosan solution (2%wt) with SF (1%wt) and HA powders (1%wt) in acetic acid. This solution was molded, frozen and the scaffolds were freeze-dried, crosslinked, and then, submitted to in vitro tests with STRO+1A, MC3T3-E1 and SaOS₂ cells under static conditions for 7, 14 and 21 days. The scaffolds were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Cell viability and activity was assessed by MTT reduction and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity detection. XRD patterns showed characteristic peaks at 8.8º, 20.3º and 24.6º (corresponding to SF) and peaks at 31.8º, 32.2º and 32.9º (corresponding to HA). The FTIR presented characteristic bands of the amide groups (SF) and of the phosphate and carbonate groups (HA). The EDS showed the presence of the C, O, N, P and Ca elements. SEM analyses showed the scaffold morphology, and indicated cell growth across the surface of the sample. The STRO+1A and MC3T3-E1 cells presented the best cell adhesion. MTT assay showed an increase of the cell number with time and the 21 days analyses showed the best proliferation for SaOS₂ cells (p<0.01), STRO+1A cells (p<0.04) and MC3T3-E1 cells, respectively. The ALP activity was higher at 21 days for all cells types and the SaOS2 cells presented the best results in all analyses (p<0.01). Molecular studies are under progress to evaluate more deeply the biocompatibility of these scaffolds. Moreover, dynamic studies in bioreactor are under progress to improve cell colonization inside scaffolds.

Abstract: It has been reported that there is a slight equilibrium between calcite and apatite precipitation from SBF solution during typical bioactivity assays, once it is supersaturating in both ionic precursors. In order to better understand this mechanism, we have proposed here to evaluate the role of three different aqueous medium (water, SBF and McCoy), under equilibrium (agitation) and out of equilibrium (no agitation).