Structure and biocompatibility of an injectable bone regeneration composite

With the development of minimally invasive techniques, injectable materials have become one of the major hotspots in the biomaterial field. We have developed an injectable bone regeneration composite (IBRC) using calcium alginate hydrogel as matrix to carry nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen particles. In this work, we evaluated the homogeneity of IBRC by dry/wet weight ratio test. The results showed that the structural homogeneity was determined by controlling the molar ratios of trisodium phosphate to calcium sulfate rather than alginate concentration in the studied ranges. Pore sizes of wet IBRC samples were characterized by thermoporometry. The pore properties of dried IBRC were tested by mercury porosimetry. Average pore size and porosity of dried IBRC declined with increasing alginate concentration. In contrast, surprisingly, pore size of wet homogeneous IBRC increased with increasing alginate concentration. Meanwhile, the swelling ratio did not increase with varying alginate concentration, but the swelling degree increased with increasing alginate concentration. In vitro cell culture showed that IBRC had no obvious cytotoxic effect on the rat bone mesenchymal stem cells. The morphology and viability of cells were also related to MR value. IBRC had good histocompatibility with a mild short-term inflammatory response in rat dorsum muscle. In addition, the excellent ability of IBRC to promote bone healing was confirmed by 5-mm-diameter cranial defects using histological analysis and bone mineral density measurement.     

The calcium silicate/alginate composite: Preparation and evaluation of its behavior as bioactive injectable hydrogels

In this study, an injectable calcium silicate (CS)/sodium alginate (SA) hybrid hydrogel was prepared using a novel material composition design. CS was incorporated into an alginate solution and internal in situ gelling was induced by the calcium ions directly released from CS with the addition of d-gluconic acid δ-lactone (GDL). The gelling time could be controlled, from about 30 s to 10 min, by varying the amounts of CS and GDL added. The mechanical properties of the hydrogels with different amounts of CS and GDL were systematically analyzed. The compressive strength of 5% CS/SA hydrogels was higher than that of 10% CS/SA for the same amount of GDL. The swelling behaviors of 5% CS/SA hydrogels with different contents of GDL were therefore investigated. The swelling ratios of the hydrogels decreased with increasing GDL, and 5% CS/SA hydrogel with 1% GDL swelled by only less than 5%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the scaffolds showed an optimal interconnected porous structure, with the pore size ranging between 50 and 200 μm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and SEM showed that the CS/SA composite hydrogel induced the formation of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the materials in simulated body fluid. In addition, rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rtBMSCs) cultured in the presence of hydrogels and their ionic extracts were able to maintain the viability and proliferation. Furthermore, the CS/SA composite hydrogel and its ionic extracts stimulated rtBMSCs to produce alkaline phosphatase, and its ionic extracts could also promote angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Overall, all these results indicate that the CS/SA composite hydrogel efficiently supported the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteogenic and angiogenic cells. Together with its porous three-dimensional structure and injectable properties, CS/SA composite hydrogel possesses great potential for bone regeneration and tissue engineering applications.     

可注射骨修复材料结合骨碎补总黄酮修复大鼠颅骨缺损

背景：自体髂骨移植一直被认为是骨缺损修复的“金标准”,但其来源有限。 目的：验证应用可注射骨修复材料结合骨碎补总黄酮修复大鼠颅骨缺损的效果。 方法：80只雄性SD大鼠建立双侧颅骨缺损模型,随机分为3组：骨修复材料+骨碎补总黄酮组采用可注射骨修复材料结合骨碎补总黄酮灌胃修复大鼠颅骨缺损;骨修复材料+去离子水组采用可注射骨修复材料结合去离子水灌胃修复大鼠颅骨缺损;羟基磷灰石+去离子水组采用羟基磷灰石结合去离子水灌胃修复大鼠颅骨缺损,1次/d,持续8周。于建模后2,4,8周取颅骨标本进行苏木精-伊红染色和Masson染色组织学观察。 结果与结论：羟基磷灰石组新骨形成和材料降解速度较慢;可注射骨修复材料组新骨形成和材料降解较羟基磷灰石组快,利于血管及纤维组织长入;骨碎补总黄酮灌胃可以促进血管及纤维组织长入材料,促进成骨。与羟基磷灰石相比,可注射骨修复材料结合骨碎补总黄酮修复大鼠颅骨缺损,可促进新骨形成,缩短骨缺损修复时间。     

可注射藻酸盐支架与人骨髓基质干细胞的体外复合培养*☆

背景：目前可注射组织工程骨的研究主要限于动物实验,若人骨髓基质干细胞与藻酸盐生物相容性良好,可注射组织工程骨将是极具前途的临床治疗手段。 目的：体外观察人骨髓基质干细胞与可注射支架藻酸钙凝胶的生物相容性。 方法：实验组将第2代人骨髓基质干细胞与藻酸钙凝胶复合培养,对照组单纯接种骨髓基质干细胞。倒置相差显微镜、扫描电镜观察各组细胞形态及增殖情况,MTT法半定量检测细胞增殖情况。 结果与结论：倒置显微镜下见实验组细胞生长良好,与对照组无明显差异。扫描电镜见骨髓基质干细胞在藻酸钙表面贴附、增殖良好,第6天时细胞已跨越微孔表面或向孔内生长。MTT法显示与对照组相比,实验组细胞增殖能力不受影响。结果初步表明藻酸钙与人骨髓基质干细胞体外生物相容性较好。      

甲基丙烯酸钠修饰光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶支架的制备和表征

文题释义：甲基丙烯酸钠：是一种具有双功能的化学基团的有机小分子,一端含有2-甲基丙烯酰基,该基团具有良好的化学活性,可与化合物中的多种基团反应而修饰化合物;另一个功能集团就是拥有负电荷基团,能给修饰过的化合物材料表面带来稳定的负电荷。 光引发剂：又称光敏剂,是一类能在紫外光区(250-420 nm)或可见光区(400-800 nm)吸收一定波长的能量,产生自由基、阳离子等,从而引发单体聚合交联固化的化合物。引发剂分子在紫外光区(250-400 nm)或可见光区(400-800 nm)有一定吸光能力,在直接或间接吸收光能后,引发剂分子从基态跃迁到激发单线态,经系间窜跃至激发三线态;在激发单线态或三线态经历单分子或双分子化学作用后,产生能够引发单体聚合的活性碎片,这些活性碎片可以是自由基、阳离子、阴离子等。按照引发机制不同,光引发剂可分为自由基聚合光引发剂与阳离子光引发剂,其中以自由基聚合光引发剂应用最为广泛。 背景：光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶因具有良好的生物相容性、可微创注射等优势已为热门的组织工程研究材料,但是仍然存在强度不足、细胞黏附能力不足等问题。 目的：构建载负电荷的光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶材料,探索其物理性能和细胞黏附性能变化。 方法：利用海藻酸钠和2-氨乙基甲基丙烯酸酯盐酸盐制备甲基丙烯酸酯化海藻酸盐后,再与光引发剂和不同浓度甲基丙烯酸钠(0,20,40,60 mmol/L)混合制备载负电荷光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶,利用傅里叶红外光谱仪分析水凝胶的功能基团变化情况,扫面电镜观察水凝胶的表面形态,并测量其溶胀率。将MC3T3-E1细胞与各组水凝胶共培养48 h,采用活死染色与CCK-8法分析水凝胶的细胞毒性;接种MC3T3-E1细胞于4组水凝胶表面,在第4小时活死染色观察细胞早期黏附情况,第3天活死染色观察细胞伸展情况。 结果与结论：①傅里叶红外光谱分析显示,甲基丙烯酸钠的引入可在水凝胶红外波普波数1 600 cm^-1左右处出现来自甲基丙烯酸钠的新波峰;②扫描电镜显示随着甲基丙烯酸钠浓度的增加,光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶的致密度增加,孔径减小;③溶胀率测试显示随着甲基丙烯酸钠浓度的升高,光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶的溶胀率逐渐降低;④活死染色显示4种水凝胶表面的细胞生长状态良好,细胞活性均在95%以上;CCK-8检测显示,载负电荷的光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶材料无细胞毒性;⑤随着甲基丙烯酸钠引入量的增加,载负电荷光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶表面的早期细胞黏附率逐渐增加,细胞伸展状态明显改善;⑥结果表明,甲基丙烯酸钠修饰的引入调节了光交联海藻酸盐水凝胶物理性能,并明显提高了其细胞黏附性能。 ORCID: 0000-0002-1054-6002(赵德路) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程     

Alginate/poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)/calcium phosphate cement scaffold with oriented pore structure for bone tissue engineering

In this study, the alginate/calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds with oriented pore structure were fabricated by unidirectional freeze casting and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used to infiltrate into the macropores to strengthen the scaffolds. By modifying the liquid to powder ratio, the porosity and pore size of the alginate/CPC scaffold could be controlled. At the liquid to powder (L/P) ratio of 3.25, scaffolds possessing open directional macropores and a total porosity of 89.24% could be achieved. The size of the tubule-like macropores could reach 100-200 mum in their radial dimension and more than 1000 mum in the axial one, with macropores well-regulated arrayed. Increasing the L/P ratio would significantly decrease the mechanical strength of alginate/CPC scaffolds. The compressive strength and toughness of scaffolds could be greatly improved via PLGA reinforcement. Three mechanisms of PLGA reinforcement ran as follows: participating in the external load, strengthening the matrix, and patching the defects of CPC pores wall. Alginate/PLGA/CPC scaffold preserved the open directional macropores and might be a potential scaffold for bone tissue engineering.     

可注射骨修复材料结合骨碎补总黄酮修复极量颅骨缺损的实验研究

目的探讨应用可注射骨修复材料﹙Injectable Bone Regeneration Composite,IBRC﹚结合骨碎补总黄酮﹙As-semble Flavone Of Rhizome Drynaria,AFDR﹚修复大鼠极量颅骨缺损的效果。方法 40只雄性SD大鼠,制成颅骨极量骨缺损﹙Critical Size Defects,CSDs﹚模型,随机分为3组:A组IBRC修复大鼠颅骨缺损结合去离子水﹙DeionizedWater,DW﹚灌胃13只;B组IBRC修复大鼠颅骨缺损结合AFDR灌胃13只;C组IBRC复合重组人骨形成蛋白骨形成蛋白2﹙recombinanthumanBone Morphogenetic Protein 2,rhBMP2﹚修复大鼠颅骨缺损结合DW灌胃14只。术后2、4、6、8周各组随机处死2只大鼠取材做HE和Masson组织学观察,并于4、8、12周各组随机处死1只大鼠行Micro-CT扫描。结果单用IBRC修复极量骨缺损有作用,但骨痂生成慢;结合AFDR灌胃可以促进血管及纤维组织长入材料,促进成骨,但不及IBRC复合rhBMP2的修复速度及质量。结论 IBRC结合AFDR修复大鼠颅骨缺损可促进新骨形成,缩短骨缺损修复时间,虽然逊于IBRC复合rhBMP2的效果,但从安全、经济以及对骨质疏松的改善作用等方面考虑,有其进一步研究的价值。     

Self-cross-linking biopolymers as injectable in situ forming biodegradable scaffolds

The injectable polymer scaffolds which are biocompatible and biodegradable are important biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Hydrogels derived from natural proteins and polysaccharides are ideal scaffolds for tissue engineering since they resemble the extracellular matrices of the tissue comprised of various amino acids and sugar-based macromolecules. Here, we report a new class of hydrogels derived from oxidized alginate and gelatin. We show that periodate-oxidized sodium alginate having appropriate molecular weight and degree of oxidation rapidly cross-links proteins such as gelatin in the presence of small concentrations of sodium tetraborate (borax) to give injectable systems for tissue engineering, drug delivery and other medical applications. The rapid gelation in the presence of borax is attributed to the slightly alkaline pH of the medium as well as the ability of borax to complex with hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides. The effect of degree of oxidation and concentration of alginate dialdehyde, gelatin and borax on the speed of gelation was examined. As a general rule, the gelling time decreased with increase in concentration of oxidized alginate, gelatin and borax and increase in the degree of oxidation of alginate. Cross-linking parameters of the gel matrix were studied by swelling measurements and trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) assay. In general, the degree of cross-linking was found to increase with increase in the degree of oxidation of alginate, whereas the swelling ratio and the degree of swelling decreased. The gel was found to be biocompatible and biodegradable. The potential of the system as an injectable drug delivery vehicle and as a tissue-engineering scaffold is demonstrated by using primaquine as a model drug and by encapsulation of hepatocytes inside the gel matrix, respectively.     

壳聚糖与海藻酸钙双相陶瓷骨支架的机械性能及细胞相容性

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate biphasic ceramic bone has good cell compatibility, but its mechanical properties are poor. OBJECTIVE: To construct chitosan/ or calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffolds and to detect their mechanical properties and cytocompatibility. METHODS: Different concentrations of chitosan (2%, 4%, 7%, 10%) or calcium alginate (3%, 4%, 5%, 7%) were mixed with biphasic ceramic bone to prepare chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold and calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold. Their morphology and structure, coagulation time, anti-dissolution properties, shear force, compressive strength and cell compatibility were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Coagulation time: with the concentration increase, the initial and final setting time of these two kinds of composite scaffolds were prolonged to some extent. (2) Scanning electron microscopy: these two kinds of composite scaffolds showed porous microstructures with different pore sizes. (3) Anti-dissolution properties: the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold (3%, 4%, 5%, 7%) and chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold (7%, 10%) had good anti-dissolution properties in the liquid. (4) Mechanical strength: with the concentration increase, the shear force and compressive strength of the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold were reduced. (5) Cell compatibility: the cytotoxicity of chitosan/ or calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffolds was graded as 0-1 or 2-3, respectively. These results show that the chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold has better mechanical properties and cell compatibility than the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold.      

In vitro osteogenic differentiation of marrow stromal cells encapsulated in biodegradable hydrogels

Novel hydrogel materials based on oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) crosslinked with a redox radical initiation system were recently developed in our laboratory as injectable cell carriers for orthopedic tissue engineering applications. The effect of OPF hydrogel material properties on in vitro osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated rat marrow stromal cells (MSCs) with and without the presence of osteogenic supplements (dexamethasone) was investigated. Two OPF formulations that resulted in hydrogels with different swelling properties were used to encapsulate rat MSCs (seeding density approximately 13 million cells/mL, samples 6 mm diameter x 0.5 mm thick before swelling) and osteogenic differentiation in these constructs over 28 days in vitro was determined via histology and biochemical assays for alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and calcium. Evidence of MSC differentiation was apparent over the culture period for samples without dexamethasone, but there was large variability in calcium production between constructs using cells of the same source. Differentiation was also seen in samples cultured with osteogenic supplements, but calcium deposition varied depending on the source pool of MSCs. By day 28, osteopontin and calcium results suggested that, in the presence of dexamethasone, OPF hydrogels with greater swelling promoted embedded MSC differentiation over those that swelled less (43.7 +/- 16.5 microg calcium/sample and 16.4 +/- 2.8 microg calcium/sample, respectively). In histological sections, mineralized areas were apparent in all sample types many microns away from the cells. These experiments indicate that OPF hydrogels are promising materials for use as injectable MSC carriers and that hydrogel swelling properties can influence osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated progenitor cells.     

Controlled release of rat adipose-derived stem cells from alginate microbeads

Cell-based therapies have potential for tissue regeneration but poor delivery methods lead to low viability or dispersal of cells from target sites, limiting clinical utility. Here, we developed a degradable and injectable hydrogel to deliver stem cells for bone regeneration. Alginate microbeads <200 μm are injectable, persist at implantation sites and contain viable cells, but do not readily degrade in-vivo. We hypothesized that controlled release of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from alginate microbeads can be achieved by incorporating alginate-lyase in the hydrogel. Microbeads were formed using high electrostatic potential. Controlled degradation was achieved through direct combination of alginate-lyase and alginate at 4 °C. Results showed that microbead degradation and cell release depended on the alginate-lyase to alginate ratio. Viability of released cells ranged from 87% on day 2 to 71% on day 12. Monolayer cultures of released ASCs grown in osteogenic medium produced higher levels of osteocalcin and similar levels of other soluble factors as ASCs that were neither previously encapsulated nor exposed to alginate-lyase. Bmp2, Fgf2, and Vegfa mRNA in released cells were also increased. Thus, this delivery system allows for controlled release of viable cells and can modulate their downstream osteogenic factor production.     

The fast release of stem cells from alginate-fibrin microbeads in injectable scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Stem cell-encapsulating hydrogel microbeads of several hundred microns in size suitable for injection, that could quickly degrade to release the cells, are currently unavailable. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop oxidized alginate-fibrin microbeads encapsulating human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs); (2) investigate microbead degradation, cell release, and osteogenic differentiation of the released cells for the first time. Three types of microbeads were fabricated to encapsulate hUCMSCs: (1) Alginate microbeads; (2) oxidized alginate microbeads; (3) oxidized alginate-fibrin microbeads. Microbeads with sizes of about 100-500 μm were fabricated with 1 × 10(6) hUCMSCs/mL of alginate. For the alginate group, there was little microbead degradation, with very few cells released at 21 d. For oxidized alginate, the microbeads started to slightly degrade at 14 d. In contrast, the oxidized alginate-fibrin microbeads started to degrade at 4 d and released the cells. At 7 d, the number of released cells greatly increased and showed a healthy polygonal morphology. At 21 d, the oxidized alginate-fibrin group had a live cell density that was 4-fold that of the oxidized alginate group, and 15-fold that of the alginate group. The released cells had osteodifferentiation, exhibiting highly elevated bone marker gene expressions of ALP, OC, collagen I, and Runx2. Alizarin staining confirmed the synthesis of bone minerals by hUCMSCs, with the mineral concentration at 21 d being 10-fold that at 7 d. In conclusion, fast-degradable alginate-fibrin microbeads with hUCMSC encapsulation were developed that could start to degrade and release the cells at 4 d. The released hUCMSCs had excellent proliferation, osteodifferentiation, and bone mineral synthesis. The alginate-fibrin microbeads are promising to deliver stem cells inside injectable scaffolds to promote tissue regeneration.     

Usefulness as guided bone regeneration membrane of the alginate membrane

Alginate membrane is a new bioabsorbable, guided bone regeneration (GBR) membrane, which is placed directly on the surface of the bone defect. It is designed to drop a calcium chloride aqueous solution into the bone defect, which is filled with sodium alginate aqueous solution. Alginate membrane is an excellent agent for this procedure due to its close assimilation to the surface of the bone. In this study, we evaluated the short-term biocompatibility of alginate membrane in the bone defects of rat tibiae. GBR membrane availability was also examined. Consequently, we found that the healing process in bone defects covered with an alginate membrane was delayed in comparison with that of controls, however, the defect was restored to nearly original condition. In contrast, in the controls, bone defect repairs exhibited partitioning as a result of connective tissue involvement. Furthermore, we observed a relation between the sodium alginate concentration and the rate of absorption of the sodium alginate membrane. Absorption of a 1.5% sodium alginate membrane was slow. As a result, the compound was not absorbed completely and bone repairs resembled an hourglass. Moreover, the inflammatory response was absent surrounding the alginate membrane. The present findings suggested that the alginate membrane functions effectively as a GBR membrane. In addition, the alginate membrane derived from 3% calcium chloride and 1% sodium alginate was most suitable as a GBR membrane.     

A Porous Hydroxyapatite/Gelatin Nanocomposite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Repair: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Abstract

In this study, a nano-structured scaffold was designed for bone repair using hydroxapatite and gelatin as its main components. The scaffold was prepared via layer solvent casting combined with freeze-drying and lamination techniques and characterized by the commonly used bulk techniques. The biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of this scaffold and its capacity to promote bone healing were also evaluated. Osteoblast-like cells were seeded on these scaffolds and their proliferation rate, intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ability to form mineralized bone nodules were compared with those osteoblasts grown on cell culture plastic surfaces. Also, the scaffolds were implanted in a critical bone defect created on rat calvarium. Engineering analyses show that the scaffold posses a three dimensional interconnected homogenous porous structure with a porosity of about 82% and pore sizes ranging from 300 to 500 μm. Mechanical indices are in the range of spongy bones. The results obtained from biological assessment show that this scaffold does not negatively affect osteoblasts proliferation rate and improves osteoblasts function as shown by increasing the ALP activity and calcium deposition and formation of mineralized bone nodules. In addition, the scaffold promoted healing of critical size calvarial bone defect in rats. It could be concluded that this scaffold fulfills all the main requirements to be considered as a bone substitute.     

Process optimization for continuous ethanol fermentation by alginate-immobilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae HAU-1

Continuous ethanol production by immobilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae HAU-1 has been studied using synthetic and molasses based medium in column reactors. Immobilization of 30% yeast cells biomass (wet) in 1.5% calcium alginate gel resulted in the production of 20.8 g · 1^?1 · h^?1 alcohol at a dilution rate of 0.36 h^?1 with approximately 1/3rd volume of the column reactor packed with gel beads. Optimum diameter of the beads was found to be 3.5 mm for efficient fermentation. The size of the column reactor (length to diameter ratio) also affected the productivity and fermentation efficiency due to gas hold-up and mass transfer effects. Molasses could also be fermented by this system but at a lower fermentation efficiency which could be improved, to some extent, by supplementation with nutrients.     

Impact of collagen-alginate composition from microbead morphological properties to microencapsulated canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell activities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of collagen-alginate composition on the size and shape of microbeads and the proliferation and osteogenic properties of microencapsulated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. Canine ASCs were microencapsulated in mixtures of various collagen-alginate compositions using a vibrational technologic encapsulator. The size and shape of the resultant microbeads were measured using a light field microscope and the viability of the microencapsulated canine ASCs was evaluated using a live/dead viability/cytotoxicity kit. Proliferation and osteogenic potentials of microencapsulated canine ASCs were evaluated using an alamarBlue proliferation assay and an alkaline phosphatase assay, respectively. As the collagen ratio increased, the size and size variation of microbeads increased and the shape of microbeads became more irregular. Nonetheless, homogeneous microbeads were created with no significant difference in size and shape, in the range of 0.75% alginate mixed with 0.099% collagen solution in 1.2% alginate solution. There were no significant differences in viability of the ASCs in the various collagen-alginate compositions. Both proliferation and osteogenic properties, in vitro, increased with increasing collagen ratio. Microencapsulation of canine ASCs with appropriate collagen-alginate composition increases cell proliferation and osteogenic properties, in vitro, without significant effects on the shape and size of microbeads and cell viability. Microencapsulation with adequate collagen-alginate composition may produce injectable microbeads that could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells.     

Studies of Compact Hard Tissues and Collagen by Means of Brillouin Light Scattering

A measure of the elastic properties of tissue can be found from the propagation of sound in the tissue. Longitudinal sonic velocities were measured for mineralized turkey leg tendon (density 1.50g/cc), deer antler (1.77g/cc) and cow tibia (2.05g/cc) in the 10 GHz frequency regime by means of Brillouin light scattering using a nine pass Fabry-Perot interferometer. Wet, air dried, mineralized and demineralized specimens were tested. Sonic velocity in each tissue increased with mineral content and decreased when the tissue was wet. All wet values are higher than for wet rat tail tendon collagen, axially and radially, but with considerably less anisotropy. The results are interpreted to indicate that bone matrix collagen is more highly crosslinked than tail tendon collagen. The loss of anisotropy is taken to correspond to a much higher crosslinking density between adjacent collagen molecules in mineralized tissue compared to rat tail tendon. The axial sonic velocity of dried rat tail tendon is almost that for low density dried mineralized tissue and greater than for the radial sonic velocity of these tissues, but the radial sonic velocity for dried rat tail tendon is much lower, again corresponding to less crosslinking in this tissue.

Longitudinal modulus, K, is defined as the tissue density times the square of the velocity. The compliance, I/K, was found to be a linear function of density for each of the four conditions. It suggests that a Reuss formalism describes the elastic properties. Since the difference between the compliance for wet and dry tissue is also a linear function of density, the effect of water on the compliance is additive.

The axial sonic velocity for cow bone is essentially constant over a frequency range spanning 10 orders. Presumably the axial sonic velocity is controlled by the continuity of the collagen fibers lying along the bone axis. The radial velocity decreases by 30% over this frequency range, probably due to the many levels of structure observed in long bone like osteons, Haversian canals and blood vessels, as well as internal surfaces like cement lines and between lamellae. The sonic anisotropy of hard tissues decreases considerably with increasing frequency.

While rat tail tendon collagen is very anisotropic both sonically and optically, hard tissues whether wet, dry, mineralized or demineralized show much less anisotropy. The optical index of refraction, both axially and radially, was found by Brillouin scattering for the air dried demineralized tissues. A close match was found between optical and sonic anisotropy for all the demineralized tissues.     

Bone formation process in porous calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite.

This study determined the bone formation in porous calcium carbonate (CC) and porous hydroxyapatite (HA) in ectopic sites. The bone formation stimulus was derived from bone marrow cells. CC and HA in the shape of disks were implanted with or without rat marrow cells into subcutaneous sites of syngeneic rats. The CC and HA had identical microstructure: pore size was 190-230 microns, porosity was 50-60% and they were fully interconnected. Bone did not form in any implants without marrow cells (disks themselves), whereas bone consistently formed in the pores of all implants with marrow cells after 4 weeks. The bone formation of both CC and HA occurred initially on surface of the pore regions and progressed toward the center of the pore. Scanning electron microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis revealed a continuum of calcium at the interfaces of both bone/CC and bone/HA implants. These results indicate that the bone formation in calcium carbonate derived from marine corals is comparable to the bioactive hydroxyapatite.     

Porous alginate/poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds: preparation, characterization and in vitro biological activity

In bone tissue engineering, scaffolds with controlled porosity are required to allow cell ingrowth, nutrient diffusion and sufficient formation of vascular networks. The physical properties of synthetic scaffolds are known to be dependent on the biomaterial type and its processing technique. In this study, we demonstrate that the separation phase technique is a useful method to process poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) into a desired shape and size. Moreover, using poly(ethylene glycol), sucrose, fructose and Ca2+ alginate as porogen agents, we obtained PCL scaffolds with three-dimensional porous structures characterized by different pore size and geometry. Scanning electron microscopy and porosity analysis indicated that PCL scaffolds prepared with Ca2+ alginate threads resemble the porosity and the homogeneous pore size distribution of native bone. In parallel, MicroCT analysis confirmed the presence of interconnected void spaces suitable to guarantee a biological environment for cellular growth, as demonstrated by a biocompatibility test with MC3T3-E1 murine preosteoblastic cells. In particular, scaffolds prepared with Ca2+ alginate threads increased adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells under basal culture conditions, and upon stimulation with a specific differentiation culture medium they enhanced the early and later differentiated cell functions, including alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized extracellular matrix production. These results suggest that PCL scaffolds, obtained by separation phase technique and prepared with alginate threads, could be considered as candidates for bone tissue engineering applications, possessing the required physical and biological properties.     

骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释载体的生物相容性

背景：目前硫酸钙主要被作为抗生素载体和成骨因子载体。 目的：观察骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释系统的体外缓释效果及与种子细胞的生物相容性。 方法：制备骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释系统,检测其体外释放性能。将SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞经体外诱导培养、扩增后,种植于骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释载体和单纯的注射式硫酸钙支架上行体外培养。 结果与结论：骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释支架具有缓释骨形态发生蛋白2的效果,持续时间可达31 d。骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释支架与大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞具有优良的生物相容性,并且相同时间点支架上的细胞黏附率、细胞数量及细胞碱性磷酸酶活性均明显高于注射式硫酸钙支架;扫描电镜发现两组材料上均有细胞生长,骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释支架上的细胞在支架表面和孔隙内生长良好,细胞突起接触融合,细胞密集区域可见细胞外基质形成,大量细胞包绕在材料表面;注射式硫酸钙支架上的细胞黏附数量较少,生长情况不及骨形态发生蛋白2/注射式硫酸钙缓释支架上的细胞。