Key Engineering Materials Vols. 284-286

Abstract: Dense and porous hydroxyapatite materials aimed at being used in controlled drug delivery, were characterised and studied in order to evaluate their ability to adsorb and release sodium ampicillin in a controlled manner, as a model for a drug delivery system, potentially applicable associated to surgery for the treatment of bone defects. These porous materials should also have adequate mechanical strength to withstand manipulation and sculpturing in surgery room. Adsorption and release profiles were obtained for a range of porous materials, leading to higher adsorption rates and more adequate release profiles than for dense materials.

Abstract: Biodegradable silica microspheres containing neutron activable yttrium cations were investigated as a potential material for in situ radiotherapy of cancers. The sol-gel method used for preparing the microspheres allows obtaining at relative low temperatures materials of high purity and homogeneity, with controlled rate of biodegradability. The influence of yttrium on the biodegradability of the silica microspheres was studied in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The chemical durability of the microspheres was investigated under in vitro conditions and the concentration of yttrium released from the microspheres was determined.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA) spherulites had been fabricated successfully through a novel approach including chitin emulsion and geletion processes. The freeze-dried nano-HA powder was firstly dispersed in the chitin solvent before chitin dissolves in its solvent completely. The chitin sol containing nano-HA particles was dropped into oil and emulsified making use of liquids immiscibility effect between oil and chitin sol by stirring. The n-HA/Chitin sol spherulites gelled in situ with the existence of water molecules. Subsequently, the spherular gel granules were rinsed in distilled water to leach the solvent and dried in room circumstance. Finally, special sintering routines were carried to harvest spherular HA granules. The size and porosity of HA spherulites were controlled by the rate of nano-HA to chitin, the chitin concentration in the starting slurry, the stirring rate and the temperature of oil etc. In addition porosifier such as sugar was used in order to adjust the macro- and micro-porous structures in the HA spherulites. The morphological observation showed that the HA spherulites had good sphericity and characteristic microporous structure which were favorable for medical application.

Abstract: Porous hydroxyapatite coated with mesoporous silica has been utilized as the matrix for controlled drug delivery. TEM observation confirms the pore size of mesoporous silica scatters about 50 Å. Porous hydroxyapatite was coated with mesoporous silica via sol-gel process. Ibuprofen and was loaded into the pores of mesoporous silica, and controlled release profiles were studied by soaking the samples in a simulated body fluid using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer.

Abstract: Bioactive gel-glasses, such as the silver-doped Ag-S70C30 glass, can be used to modify the inflammatory response in a local body compartment such as in acne lesions and in nonhealing dermal wounds. In this study, the cytotoxicity of soluble silver, calcium and silica ions on human epidermal keratinocytes was investigated by measurements of mitochondrial activity (MTT assay) and neutral red dye uptake (NR assay). Ag-S70C30 extracts were prepared by soaking glass powder in complete culture medium at concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml (mg of glass powder per ml of culture medium). Silver concentrations for both concentrations of approximately 1 ppm were detected by inductive coupled plasma analysis (ICP). No negative effect on the cell viability was measured for an initial gel-glass concentration of 1 mg/ml and for the two shortest extraction times at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. Based on the results from MTT/ NR assays, a pH rise of approximately one unit had no negative effect on the NHEK-A cell viability. This preliminary study on keratinocyte viability merits future investigations on silver bioglass as a novel antimicrobial wound healing agent.

Abstract: In dentistry, chronic periodontitis often leads to bone resorption together with an increasing risk of bacteremia. Bioactive glass has found extensive application as dental graft material. A successful antimicrobial bactericidal effect has been shown from the introduction of Ag2O into the glass composition. In this study, the cytotoxicity of soluble silver, calcium and silica ions on primary human osteoblasts was investigated by measurements of mitochondrial activity and neutral red dye uptake. Silver concentrations of 4 - 6 ppm (1 mg/ml conc.) and 6 - 9 ppm (2 mg/ml conc.) have been measured in complete culture medium. It was found that the bioactive gel-glass extract with an initial concentration of 1 mg/ml (1mg glass per ml of culture medium) has no negative effect, whereas increased gel-glass concentration of 2 mg/ml seemed to have a toxic effect on the cell viability of human osteoblasts. It might be concluded that a reduction of the rate of silver dissolution from the bioactive gel-glass might preserve a maximum cell viability.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiologic effect silver (Ag) when incorporated in amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) prepared from solutions containing calcium, phosphate and pyrophosphate ions. The preparations were obtained from solutions with phosphate/pyrophosphate ratio, P/P2 = 7/3, and characterized as ACP using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and differential thermal analysis. The microbes tested were cultures of E. Coli, St. aureus, Ps aerogunosa, C. diphteroides and C. albicans in media alone (control), with ACP without Ag and with ACP containing different Ag concentrations. Results demonstrated the following: (1) Ag in ACP inhibited the growth of microorganisms in all five cultures, with ACP containing 3-6% Ag giving the greatest antimicrobial effect; (2) sensitivity to the antimicrobial action of Ag differed among the bacteria.

Abstract: 0.8 wt.% silicon-containing hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) thin films of thickness 600 nm have been successfully developed using a magnetron co-sputtering technique, through careful selection and control of the processing conditions. These films were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) to investigate the nucleation and growth of an apatite layer on their surfaces. A newly-formed apatite layer with similar characteristics to that of the biological bone apatite, was observed after 4 days of immersion in SBF. X-ray diffraction and infrared analyses confirmed this layer to be calciumdeficient micro-crystalline carbonate HA. These results demonstrated that the novel Si-HA films were highly bioactive and the time frame required for apatite formation was reduced by approximately 76 % (from 17 days to 4 days).