Implant-based direction of magnetic nanoporous silica nanoparticles - influence of macrophage depletion and infection.

Implant associated infections are still key problem in surgery. In the present study, the combination of a magnetic implant with administered magnetic nanoporous silica nanoparticles as potential drug carriers was examined in mice in dependence of local infection and macrophages as influencing factors. Four groups of mice (with and without implant infection and with and without macrophage depletion) received a magnet on the left and a titanium control on the right hind leg. Then, fluorescent nanoparticles were administered and particle accumulations at implant surfaces and in inner organs as well as local tissue reactions were analyzed. Magnetic nanoparticles could be found at the surfaces of magnetic implants in different amounts depending on the treatment groups and only rarely at titanium surfaces. Different interactions of magnetic implants, particles, infection and surrounding tissues occurred. The general principle of targeted accumulation of magnetic nanoparticles could be proven.

The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields combined with a static magnetic intramedullary implant on the repair of bone defects: A preliminary study.

There is a basic consensus on the biological effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone formation and bone reconstruction. PEMFs have been widely used in clinical treatment of osteoporosis, bone nonunion and delayed fracture healing. PEMFs is an intervention method of physiotherapy in vitro. In order to optimize the effect of PEMFs intervention, this study combined with the orthopedics clinic to construct a static magnetic intramedullary implant using NdFeB magnets as components. At the same time, it combines external-pulsed electromagnetic field to achieve locally targeted magnetic microenvironment. Rabbits were randomly divided into a combined magnetic field group (Implantation of static magnetic intramedullary implant in vivo combined with external-pulsed electromagnetic field), pulsed electromagnetic field group and control group. Micro CT and histopathology were used to estimate the effect of each group on bone formation and reconstruction in the early stage (5 weeks) of bone defect repair. Our data showed that the combined magnetic field group had relatively better new bone volume and trabecular structure in the bone defect area. The results showed that the combined magnetic field intervention method was feasible and had relatively preferably osteogenesis promoting effect. This study provides a new idea of magnetic field intervention, and also preliminarily verifies the feasibility of adding magnetic field to traditional orthopedic implant materials. However, the magnetic field strength of implanted materials still needs to be further refined.

Magnetic Drug Delivery: Where the Field Is Going.

Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs is considered to be one of the pillars of cancer treatment as it could allow for a better treatment efficiency and less adverse effects. A promising drug delivery approach is magnetic drug targeting which can be realized if a drug delivery vehicle possesses a strong magnetic moment. Here, we discuss different types of magnetic nanomaterials which can be used as magnetic drug delivery vehicles, approaches to magnetic targeted delivery as well as promising strategies for the enhancement of the imaging-guided delivery and the therapeutic action.

Initiation of Targeted Nanodrug Delivery in Vivo by a Multifunctional Magnetic Implant.

Implant-mediated targeted drug delivery without an external magnetic field is very challenging. In this work, we report targeted nanodrug delivery initiated by a Fe3O4/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) implant scaffold with high magnetism. The implant scaffold is biocompatible and durable. It effectively attracts nanodrugs to its surface, thus killing cancer cells. These findings provide a proof of concept for the magnetic implant-directed nanodrug targeting without the need for an external magnetic field. This approach may further facilitate more precise medical treatments.