Production of microspheres based on hydrophobically associating alginate derivatives by dispersion/gelation in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

A new "all aqueous" procedure for the preparation of stable polysaccharide microparticles was developed. The method consists of dispersing a water solution of an amphiphilic alginate derivative (in the current work, alginate substituted with low amounts of dodecyl chains) first fluidified under mechanical stress, into an NaCl solution. The procedure exploits the ability of amphiphilic associative derivatives to form strong hydrogels in the presence of nonchaotropic salts and their shear-thinning/thixotropic properties. Depending on the experimental conditions, the size of the microparticles can be varied from 10 microm to several hundred micrometers. Their mechanical properties can eventually be reinforced by addition of low concentrations of calcium chloride. The resulting microparticles exhibit a better stability than that of plain Ca(2+)-alginate particles, as they are not disrupted when nongelling cations or calcium-sequestering agents are added to the solution. In addition, the particles can be easily redispersed after being centrifuged or freeze-dried.     

Effects of the controlled-released TGF-beta 1 from chitosan microspheres on chondrocytes cultured in a collagen/chitosan/glycosaminoglycan scaffold

The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a three-dimensional collagen/chitosan/glycosaminoglycan (GAG) scaffold in combination with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1)-loaded chitosan microspheres, and (2) to evaluate the effect of released TGF-beta 1 on the chondrogenic potential of rabbit chondrocytes in such scaffolds. TGF-beta 1 was loaded into chitosan microspheres using an emulsion-crosslinking method. The controlled release of TGF-beta 1, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was monitored for 7 days. The porous scaffolds containing collagen and chitosan were fabricated by using a freeze drying technique and crosslinked using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) in the presence of chondroitin sulfate (CS), as a GAG component. The TGF-beta 1 microspheres were encapsulated into the scaffold at a concentration of 10 ng TGF-beta 1/scaffold and then chondrocytes were seeded in the scaffold and incubated in vitro for 3 weeks. Both proliferation rate and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production were significantly higher in the TGF-beta 1 microsphere-incorporated scaffolds than in the control scaffolds without microspheres. Extracellular matrix staining by Safranin O and immunohistochemistry for type II collagen were elevated in the scaffold with TGF-beta 1 microspheres. These results suggest that TGF-beta 1 microspheres when incorporated into a scaffold have the potential to enhance cartilage formation.     

壳聚糖微球复合丝素基硫酸钙骨水泥的理化特性

背景：脊柱成形和脊柱后凸成形治疗中采用的硫酸钙骨水泥理化性质好,对人体无毒性作用,同时具有降解性能,但单独使用降解较快。 目的：研制具有载药缓释功能的壳聚糖微球丝素基硫酸钙骨水泥。 方法：采用三聚磷酸钠乳化交联法制备壳聚糖微球。采用浓度分别为3%,6%,9%的丝素溶液与CaSO₄•0.5H₂O混合,通过万能力学试验机确定骨水泥力学性能最佳时的丝素浓度,在此浓度下,按壳聚糖微球占CaSO₄•0.5H₂O的质量比分别为0.5%,1%,5%的比例制备壳聚糖微球丝素基硫酸钙骨水泥,测定其抗压强度,并通过X射线多晶衍射仪及傅里叶红外光谱明确达到最佳抗压强度组的骨水泥成分,电镜观察复合骨水泥中壳聚糖微球的形态。 结果与结论：当丝素溶液浓度为6%,壳聚糖微球含量为0.5%时,复合骨水泥的抗压强度最大,为  (39.17±1.96) MPa,此时复合骨水泥的初凝时间为(12.99±1.63) min,终凝时间为(21.55±0.54) min;骨水泥中主要晶相组成为硫酸钙,傅里叶红外光谱结果证实复合骨水泥中含有丝素及壳聚糖;复合骨水泥中的微球表面稍有皱缩,但球形仍然完整,未见明显破坏,可见在制备复合骨水泥的过程中微球能保持稳定而不被破坏。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;组织工程全文链接：     

Physico-chemical studies of the gelation of chitosan in a hydroalcoholic medium

The formation of chitosan physical hydrogels without any external cross-linking agent was studied. This gelation took place in an acetic acid-water-propanediol solution. Static light scattering was used to detect the gel point and then, to study the gelation for different initial conditions. Thus, we investigated the influence of the degree of acetylation, the gelation temperature and the nature of the initial solvent. The variation of the solvent composition during gelation was determined from a simple weighting, and the ionisation state of the polymer at the gel point, by pH titrations. This work showed that it was possible to form a chitosan physical-hydrogel, whatever the degree of acetylation provided typical conditions were observed. The mechanism of gelation simply consisted in the modification of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance allowing the formation of both hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Several parameters had an important role on this mechanism: 1--the apparent charge density of chitosan, modified by the degree of neutralisation, 2--the dielectric constant of the solvent, related to the composition of the medium, 3--the degree of acetylation, 4--temperature, playing a role on the interactions responsible for the physical cross-linking and the molecular mobility, and, 5--the molecular mobility depending on possible changes of conformation, steric hindrance and viscosity of the medium.     

Rheometric study of the gelation of chitosan in a hydroalcoholic medium

The formation of chitosan physical hydrogels without any external cross-linking agent was studied. The gelation took place in an acetic acid-water-propanediol solution. The time to reach the gel point was determined by rheometry and gelations from different initial conditions could be compared. The influence of different parameters on gelation such as the polymer concentration, the degree of acetylation (DA) of chitosan and the composition of the initial solvent were investigated. The fractal morphology of the sample was not affected by the composition of the system. The number of junctions per unit volume at the gel point varied only with the initial number of chain entanglements per unit volume. Then, below an initial concentration of 1.5% (w/w), physical chain entanglements were insufficient and more junctions had to be formed to induce gelation. Over this value, only the kinetics allowing to replace entanglements by stable physical junctions played a key parameter. This kinetics was influenced by several parameters such as DA, temperature or the initial proportion water/alcohol. The acetyl groups played an important role in the formation of hydrophobic interactions, mainly responsible for gelation. The study of the influence of the gelation media revealed two critical points at 40% and 70% of water in the initial solvent, probably due to conformational changes and then to different modes of gelation. These physical hydrogels being used for cartilage regeneration, their final rheological properties were studied as a function of their degree of acetylation, the polymer concentration and the solvent composition in the initial solvent. Our results allowed us to define an optimal gelation condition for our application, corresponding to: DA=40%, a proportion water/alcohol of 50/50 and a polymer concentration of 1.5%.     

Encapsulation and osteoinduction of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in chitosan-hydroxyapatite microspheres

Periodontal ligament cells play a crucial role in the regeneration of periodontal tissues and an undifferentiated mesenchymal cell subset is thought to exist within this population. The aim of this study was to assess the osteogenic differentiation potential of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) in three dimensional (3D)-osteogenic culture environment following encapsulation in chitosan-hydroxyapatite (C/HA) microspheres with the size range of 350-450 microm. Human PDLF cultures were established and three experimental groups were formed: (i) two-dimensional (2D)-culture as single cell monolayer, (ii) 3D-static culture of C/HA encapsulated hPDLFs, and (iii) 3D-dynamic culture of C/HA encapsulated hPDLFs in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor. The cells were cultured in standard culture medium supplemented with beta-glycerophosphate, dexamethasone, and ascorbic acid. After 21 days, immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against osteonectin, osteopontin, bone-sialoprotein, and osteocalcin as osteogenic differentiation markers. Phase-contrast and scanning electron microscopy observations were used for histological and morphological evaluation. The combined effects of osteoinductive medium and HA-containing composite microsphere material on encapsulated hPDLFs resulted in the transformation of a considerable portion of the cells into osteoblastic lineage at the end of the experiments. Results demonstrate the ability of hPDLFs to undergo osteogenic differentiation upon induction in vitro, both under 2D and 3D culture conditions. C/HA microspheres in microgravity bioreactor may serve as a suitable 3D environment to support the osteogenic differentiation of human PDLFs, in vitro.     

Effects of aldehydes and methods of cross-linking on properties of calcium alginate microspheres prepared by emulsification.

Calcium alginate microspheres were prepared by an emulsification method and cross-linked with various aldehydes using different methods. Methanal and pentanedial produced low aggregation of microspheres while octanal and octadecanal produced the opposite effect. The latter two aldehydes displaced very little calcium ions from the alginate microspheres, indicating that the aggregation was due to the tackiness imparted by the aldehydes to the microsphere surface. Higuchi's model was not applicable to the drug release from microspheres in this study. The microspheres treated with methanal or pentanedial showed comparable dissolution T75% values which were significantly higher than that of the control. In contrast, octanal and octadecanal produced microspheres with lower dissolution T75% values. The drug contents of the microspheres treated with aldehydes were significantly lower than that of the control. There was insignificant interaction between the aldehydes and the drug. However, the aldehydes were found to impart acidity to the aqueous solution to varying extents, resulting in varying drug loss from the microspheres. The properties of the microspheres were also markedly affected by the method of incorporating the aldehyde. Soaking the microspheres in methanal solution produced microspheres with marked aggregation and low drug content.     

Mechanical property, degradation rate, and bone cell growth of chitosan coated titanium influenced by degree of deacetylation of chitosan

Chitosan has shown promise as a coating for dental/craniofacial and orthopaedic implants. However, the effects of degree of deacetylation (DDA) of chitosan on coating bond strength, degradation, and biological performance is not known. The aim of this project was to evaluate bonding, degradation, and bone cell growth on titanium coated with chitosans of different DDA and from different manufacturers. Three different chitosans, 80.6%, 81.7%, and 92.3% DDA were covalently bonded to titanium coupons via silane-glutaraldehyde molecules. Bond strengths were evaluated in mechanical tensile tests, and degradation, over 5 weeks, was conducted in cell culture medium with and without 100 microg/mL lysozyme. Cytocompatibility was evaluated for 10 days using UMR 106 osteoblastic cells. Results showed that mean chitosan coating bond strengths ranged from 2.2-3.8 MPa, and that there was minimal affect of DDA on coating bond strengths. The coatings exhibited little dissolution over 5 weeks in medium with or without lysozyme. However, the molecular weight (MW) of the chitosan coatings remaining on the titanium samples after 5 weeks decreased by 69-85% with the higher DDA chitosan coatings exhibiting less percent change in MW than the lower DDA materials. The growth of the UMR 106 osteoblast cells on the 81.7% DDA chitosan coating was lower on days 3 and 5, as compared with the other two coatings, but by day 10, there were no differences in growth among three coatings or to the uncoated titanium controls. Differences in growth were attributed to differences in manufacturer source material, though all coatings were judged to be osteocompatible in vitro.     

Conditioning by mitochondria and energy source of thermal death parameters in yeast

Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae of opposite mating type (a and alpha), with different resistance to thermal death, and their respective mitochondrial respiratory-deficient mutants (petites ap and alpha p) were used to prepare the following diploid strains: a alpha, a alpha p and ap alpha. Specific thermal death rates were determined at supramaximum temperatures for growth, under conditions of mitochondrial derepression (glycerol medium). Comparison of the entropies of activation of thermal death showed that diploids a alpha and ap alpha behaved like the more resistant haploid alpha, and diploid a alpha p like haploid a. In glucose medium strains alpha and a alpha became even more thermoresistant. The results favour the concept that thermal death determinants are located in the mitochondrial genome, and that mitochondria repressed cells repair thermal injuries more efficiently.     

透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球的制备及其在卵巢早衰中的应用

背景：透明带3多肽诱导口服耐受可预防及治疗自身免疫性卵巢早衰,但直接应用透明带3多肽治疗效果不十分理想,因此选择合适的药物载体系统成为进一步研究的基础。 目的：制备透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球,观察其在卵巢早衰中的作用。 方法：采用离子交联法制备透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球,观察微球形态,检测微球粒径、包封率、载药率及体外释放速度。分别以透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球、磷酸盐缓冲液、透明带3多肽、三甲基壳聚糖灌胃治疗卵巢早衰小鼠。 结果与结论：透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球形态较规则,平均粒径280.5 nm,包封率为69.20%,载药率为14.83%,随时间的延长,微球中透明带3多肽的体外释放率逐渐增加,无突释现象。透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球组卵巢早衰小鼠外周血中抗透明带3多肽抗体阳性率明显低于其他3组(P < 0.05),表明透明带3多肽-三甲基壳聚糖微球治疗可明显减低卵巢早衰小鼠血清中抗透明带3多肽抗体阳性率。     

两种壳聚糖载rhBMP-2纳米微球对SD大鼠体内异位成骨的影响

目的　通过SD大鼠异位成骨实验来探究重组人骨形态发生蛋白-2/壳聚糖/硫酸葡聚糖(rhBMP-2/CS/DS) 复合微球和重组人骨形态发生蛋白-2/壳聚糖 (rhBMP-2/CS) 微球对SD大鼠体内异位成骨的影响。 方法　随机将36只SD大鼠平均分为三组（n=12）,分别为A组 (rhBMP-2), B组(rhBMP-2/CS), C组(rhBMP-2/CS/DS)。制备股四头肌肌袋模型后,分别将三种材料植入股四头肌肌袋肌间隙中。分别在4,8和12周时大体观察植入区组织硬度,每组处死4只大鼠后取出异位骨块,并切取异位骨化的组织行micro-CT扫描及 Mimics软件三维重建;检测各组织块骨体积分数（bone volume fraction,BVF）、骨小梁厚度（trabecular thichness,Tb.Th）、骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）;并行组织学观察和ALP活性、钙含量检测。 结果 4周时,A、B、C三组植入区周围组织质地均稍硬,三者并无明显区别;8周和12周时,三组植入区硬度明显增加,且C组比A、B组质地更硬。4周时,HE染色可见三组有少量骨组织形成,但不明显;B、C两组BVF、Tb.Th、BMD,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性、钙含量均高于A组;B、C两组以上指标差异无统计学意义。8、12周时,HE染色可见到三组骨组织逐渐增多,并逐渐成熟,且B、C两组可见到比A组更成熟的骨组织,C组骨组织比B组更成熟;B、C两组BVF、Tb.Th、BMD,ALP活性、钙含量均高于A组,C组以上指标均高于B组。 结论　rhBMP-2/CS/DS纳米缓释微球的成骨效果明显强于rhBMP-2/CS纳米微球和单独rhBMP-2,其可能在骨组织工程领域有较好的运用前景。     

Preparation of monodispersed chitosan microspheres and in situ encapsulation of BSA in a co-axial microfluidic device

This work describes a novel microfluidic method to prepare monodispersed chitosan microspheres by using the solvent extraction method. Our strategy is that a chitosan/acetic acid aqueous solution is emulsified in an organic phase containing the extractant by using the co-flowing shear method in a co-axial microfluidic device. The formed droplets are in situ solidified within a synthesizing channel by the extraction of acetic acid from the chitosan aqueous droplets to the organic solution. Based on this approach, the size of chitosan microspheres can be successfully controlled from 100 μm to 700 μm in diameter with a variation of less than 4%. Furthermore, high loading efficiency (>95%) of Bovine serum albumin (BSA) can be in situ encapsulated. The present method has the advantages of actively controlling the droplet diameter, narrow size distribution, good sphericity, and having a simple and low cost process, with a high throughput. This approach for the preparation of chitosan microspheres will provide many potential applications for pharmaceutical area.     

Influence of in vitro differentiation status on the in vivo bone regeneration of cell/chitosan microspheres using a rat cranial defect model

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the in vitro osteogenic differentiation status on the in vivo bone regeneration of cell/chitosan microspheres qualitatively and quantitatively. To this end, rat bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) were seeded onto apatite-coated chitosan microspheres. The constructs were osteogenically differentiated for 0, 7, 14, and 21?days followed by calvarial defect implantation in vivo for up to 8?weeks. In vitro studies showed that BMSCs in the constructs proliferated from day 0 to day 7. The activity and gene expression of alkaline phosphatise increased from day 0 to day 14 and then decreased. The gene expression of collagen type I and osteocalcin peaked at day 21. In vivo, constructs retrieved from day 0 group were filled with fibrous tissues and capillaries, but no bone formation was observed. Constructs retrieved from day 7 and day 21 groups showed progressive bone formation, whereas those retrieved from day 14 group had the highest percentage of bone formation. These data suggested that to generate a substantial amount of bone in vivo, not only the in vitro osteogenic differentiation was necessary, but also the period of pre-differentiation was important for the cell-scaffold constructs. The period of pre-differentiation for 14?days was found to be the most suitable for chitosan microspheres.     

幽门螺杆菌全菌蛋白抗原壳聚糖微球体外释放特性

背景：不同方法制备出的幽门螺杆菌全菌蛋白抗原壳聚糖微球,其包裹率和控释效果也不同。 目的：探讨幽门螺杆菌全菌蛋白抗原壳聚糖微球的最佳制备方案,观察其体外释放特性。 方法：使用Berthold沉淀法制备壳聚糖微球,筛选最佳制备方案;使用扫描电镜及粒径分析仪观察壳聚糖微球的形态及粒径分布;冻干后的壳聚糖微球包裹幽门螺杆菌全菌蛋白抗原,使用BCA蛋白定量试剂盒测量分析微球的抗原包裹率、包裹量及释放率。 结果与结论：从32种壳聚糖微球制备方案中筛选出了以海得贝壳聚糖为原料、冰乙酸的浓度为1%、硫酸钠为沉淀剂、pH值为5.0、不进行超声处理方案为最佳制备方案,扫描电镜示微球光滑圆整、致密,粒径分布在1.0~5.0 μm;抗原包裹率为79.92%,包裹量为16.47%;体外释放实验表明,总抗原释放率为20.39%,呈缓慢释放状态。     

Encapsulation of PEG-urease/PEG-AlaDH enzyme system in erythrocyte.

No intravenously injectable enzyme preparate containing urease as an alternetive to hemodialysis, hemoperfusion and CAPD systems in patients having chronic renal failure has been encountered in literature. In this study, it has been aimed to convert blood urea to alanine by using PEG-urease/PEG-AlaDH enzyme pair encapsulated within living erythrocyte. In this system, urea is decomposed into NH3 and HCO3- and the ammonia released is converted into alanine by reacting pyruvate under the catalytic action of alaninedehydrogenase. The production of pyruvate and NADH by erythrocyte required in the second stage of the reaction will make the process a feasible and ceaseless one. The success of the system will enable the renal patients with diabetes mellitus. Urease and AlaDH were covalently immobilized on activated PEG. PEG-urease/PEG-AlaDH were encapsulated in erythrocyte (1/1)(v/v) by using slow dialysis methods. The activity of enzyme system, encapsulation yield and hemogram analysis were determined for each sample.     

Enhancement of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis severity by ultrasound emulsification of antigen/adjuvant in distinct strains of mice

Susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype. In this study EAE could be induced in six out of ten mice of the resistant DBA/2 (H-2^d) strain by ultrasound emulsified antigen/adjuvant, whereas none of the mice immunized with the conventional adjuvant developed the disease. Similar results were previously obtained for the MHC identical BALB/c mice. Further, while only few T cells were present in the central nervous systems (CNS) of the diseased DBA/2 mice, macrophages formed the majority of the infiltrates. In congenic BALB.B (H-2^b) and BALB.K (H-2 ^k) mice, EAE could be induced with both sonicated and extruded antigen/adjuvant emulsion. The results indicate that the EAE resistance in mice carrying the H-2^d MHC haplotype is dependent on the physical structure of the immunogen.     

Thrombocytopenia provoked by carrageenan in rabbits and the inhibitory effect of lysozyme

Hen egg white lysozyme (Fleming's lysozyme) prevented the thrombocytopenia provoked by carrageenan injected intravenously into rabbits but not that provoked by an anaphylactic shock. Lysozyme was given intravenously at 25, 50, 100 mg/kg 30 sec before carrageenan. Platelets were counted 15 and 60 min after carrageenan. Lysozyme was given intravenously to immunized animals at the dose of 100 mg/kg 5 min before a challenging dose of the antigens (horse serum-ovalbumin). Platelets were counted 5 min after challenge.The results are discussed in the light of the intervention of platelets and prostaglandins into tumour spread and metastases dissemination.     

Modulation of mesenchymal stem cells behaviors by chitosan/gelatin/pectin network films

In this article, the chitosan/gelatin/pectin (CGP) network films were prepared to build appropriate physicochemical and mechanical microenvironment for attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Results suggested that the hydrophilicity and mechanical character of CGP composites films could be modulated via adjusting the pectin content in the composites. The investigations of attachment and proliferation behaviors of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the CGP films were carried out. The morphology of cells was observed with hematoxylin/eosin staining (HE) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was investigated via ALP and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results suggested that the CGP films have excellent biocompatibility. MSCs seeded on CGP (0.1) film show higher proliferation capacity compared with other samples. Moreover, osteogenic differentiation of MSCs also depends on the properties of the substrate. The MSCs seeded on CGP (0.5) expressed the highest ALP activity, osteogenic gene expression and mineral formation capacity. These results suggest that the composition of the CGP network films could effectively modulate their physicochemical and mechanical properties and further regulate the cell behaviors of MSCs.     

The potential of mannosylated chitosan microspheres to target macrophage mannose receptors in an adjuvant-delivery system for intranasal immunization

A vaccine delivery system based on mannosylated chitosan microspheres (MCMs) was studied in vitro and in vivo. Bordetella bronchiseptica antigens containing dermonecrotoxin (BBD) were loaded in MCMs or chitosan microspheres (CMs). Fluorescence confocal microscopy indicated that BBD-loaded MCMs (BBD-MCMs) bound with mannose receptors on murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). In vitro experiments using macrophages demonstrated that BBD-MCMs had more effective immune-stimulating activity than BBD-loaded CMs (BBD-CMs). Mice intranasally immunized with BBD-MCMs showed significantly higher BBD-specific IgA antibody responses in saliva and serum than mice immunized with BBD-CMs (p<0.05). After challenge with B. bronchiseptica via the nasal cavity, groups treated with BBD-MCMs or BBD-CMs showed similar patterns with a high survival rate even though there was no significant difference between those groups. These results suggested that mannose moieties in the MCMs enhanced immune-stimulating activities through mucosal delivery due to a specific interaction between mannose groups in the MCMs and mannose receptors on the macrophages.