Scaffolds of PCL combined to bioglass: synthesis, characterization and biological performance.

Biomaterials may be useful in filling lost bone portions in order to restore balance and improve bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to produce polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes combined with two types of bioglass (Sol-Gel and melt-quenched) and determine their physical and biological properties. Membranes were produced through electrospinning. This study presented three experimental groups: pure PCL membranes, PCL-Melt-Bioglass and PCL-Sol-gel-Bioglass. Membranes were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy and Zeta Potential. The following in vitro tests were performed: MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, total protein content and mineralization nodules. Twenty-four male rats were used to observe biological performance through radiographic, fracture energy, histological and histomorphometric analyses. The physical and chemical analysis results showed success in manufacturing bioactive membranes which significantly enhanced cell viability and osteoblast differentiation. The new formed bone from the in vivo experiment was similar to that observed in the control group. In conclusion, the electrospinning enabled preparing PCL membranes with bioglass incorporated into the structure and onto the surface of PCL fibers. The microstructure of the PCL membranes was influenced by the bioglass production method. Both bioglasses seem to be promising biomaterials to improve bone tissue regeneration when incorporated into PCL.

Hidrogel de quitosana com nanofibras de Policaprolactona (PCL) associado a extratos fitoterápicos no metabolismo celular e ação antimicrobiana: estudo in vitro / Evaluation of the chitosan hydrogel with PCL nanofibers associated with phytotherapeutic extracts in cellular and microbiological activity: in vitro study

O objetivo neste estudo foi produzir hidrogel de quitosana (CH) com PCL e fitoterápicos para uso preventivo de úlcera de pressão. Os hidrogéis de CH foram produzidos com glicerofosfato (GP) e com xantana (X), associados ao PCL e foram caracterizados por estereomicroscopio, intumescimento, molhabilidade e MEV. Posteriormente foram submetidos ao teste de viabilidade (MTT) com fibroblastos HFF-1 e queratinócitos HaCat. O hidrogel que apresentou melhor resultado foi escolhido para continuar na pesquisa. Posteriormente, extratos de Pfaffia panculata K, Juglans regia L, Rosmarinus officinalis L, Zingiber officinale, Própolis e Hamamelis foram colocados em contato com cepas de Staphylococcus aureus (S.a) (ATCC 6538), Streptococcus pyogenes (S.p) (ATCC 19615), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.e) (ATCC 12228), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a) (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (E.c) (ATCC 25922) e Klebsiella Pneumoniae (K.p) (ATCC 4352) na forma planctônica nos testes de CIM e CMM. Os dois melhores extratos fitoterápicos foram avaliados quanto ao sinergismo no teste checkerboard e posteriormente associados ao hidrogel anteriormente eleito. A seguir, o comportamento da HaCat e HFF-1 com os hidrogéis foi analisado por MTT, proteína total, ELISA, genotoxicidade e formação de biofilme monotípico com suspensões padronizadas (107 cel/mL) de S.a, S.e, S.p, P.a, E.c e K.p. Na caracterização e viabilidade o hidrogel CHX PCL apresentou os melhores resultados. Os extratos selecionados após CIM, CMM e checkerboard foram gengibre (G) e própolis (P). O extrato G se destacou na CIM com inibição de K. p e P. a. Os extratos de G e P demonstraram ação microbicida para K. p e P. a e somente o extrato P obteve ação microbicida para S. a na CMM. Houve ação aditiva dos extratos associados no checkerboard para S.p e ação aditiva e sinérgica para S. e. Os grupos de hidrogéis foram compostos por: quitosana xantana (CHX), CHX própolis (CHXP), CHX gengibre (CHXG) e CHX própolis e gengibre associados (CHXPG), todos associados ao PCL. Todos os hidrogéis demonstraram viabilidade celular acima de 70% do grupo controle, permitindo metabolismo celular observado na proteína total. Houve quantificação de IL-6 maior no grupo CHX nas duas linhagens de células enquanto a quantificação de IL-10 não exibiu diferença estatística entre os grupos. Todos os hidrogéis promoveram redução acentuada de biofilme de K.p e E.c. Os grupos CHX, CHXP e CHXG reduziram biofilme de S.e. O grupo CHXG reduziu biofilme de S.p. Para S.a e P.a o grupo CHXPG foi mais eficaz reduzindo biofilme. Concluímos que os hidrogéis apresentaram resultados satisfatórios e promissores, trazendo inovação por associação de biopolímeros e associação de extratos fitoterápicos pouco estudados. Os resultados positivos justificam a continuidade dos estudos com esse biomaterial(AU)

The aim of this study was to produce chitosan hydrogel (CH) with PCL and herbal medicines for preventive use of pressure ulcers. The CH hydrogels were produced with glycerophosphate (GP) and xanthan (X), associated with PCL and were characterized by stereomicroscope, swelling, wettability and SEM. Subsequently, they were submitted to a viability test (MTT) with HFF-1 fibroblasts and HaCat keratinocytes. The hydrogel that presented the best result was chosen to continue the research. Subsequently, extracts of Pfaffia panculata K, Juglans regia L, Rosmarinus officinalis L, Zingiber officinale, Propolis and Hamamelis were placed in contact with strains of Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) (ATCC 6538), Streptococcus pyogenes (Sp) (ATCC 19615), epidermidis (Se) (ATCC 12228), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (Ec) (ATCC 25922) and Klebsiella Pneumoniae (Kp) (ATCC 4352) in planktonic form in CIM and CMM tests. The two best herbal extracts were evaluated for synergism in the checkerboard test and subsequently associated with the previously elected hydrogel. Next, the behavior of HaCat and HFF-1 with hydrogels was analyzed by MTT, total protein, ELISA, genotoxicity and monotypic biofilm formation with standardized suspensions (107 cel / mL) of Sa, Se, Sp, Pa, Ec and Kp In the characterization and viability the CHX PCL hydrogel presented the best results. The extracts selected after MIC, CMM and checkerboard were ginger (G) and propolis (P). The G extract stood out in the MIC with inhibition of K. p and P. a. The extracts of G and P showed microbicidal action for K. p and P. a and only the extract P obtained microbicidal action for S. a in CMM. There was an additive action of the associated extracts on the checkerboard for S.p and an additive and synergistic action for S. e. The hydrogel groups were composed of: xanthan chitosan (CHX), CHX propolis (CHXP), CHX ginger (CHXG) and CHX propolis and ginger associated (CHXPG), all associated with PCL. All hydrogels demonstrated cell viability above 70% of the control group, allowing cellular metabolism observed in the total protein. There was a greater quantification of IL-6 in the CHX group in the two cell lines while the quantification of IL-10 did not show statistical difference between the groups. All hydrogels promoted a marked reduction in the biofilm of K.p and E.c. The CHX, CHXP and CHXG groups reduced S.e biofilm. The CHXG group reduced S.p. For S.a and P.a, the CHXPG group was more effective in reducing biofilm. We conclude that the hydrogels presented satisfactory and promising results, bringing innovation through association of biopolymers and association of phytotherapic extracts little studied. The positive results justify the continuity of studies with this biomaterial(AU)

Titanium alloys: in vitro biological analyzes on biofilm formation, biocompatibility, cell differentiation to induce bone formation, and immunological response.

Biological effects of titanium (Ti) alloys were analyzed on biofilms of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sanguinis, as well as on osteoblast-like cells (MG63) and murine macrophages (RAW 264.7). Standard samples composed of aluminum and vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V), and sample containing niobium (Ti-35Nb) and zirconium (Ti-13Nb-13Zr) were analyzed. Monomicrobial biofilms were formed on the Ti alloys. MG63 cells were grown with the alloys and the biocompatibility (MTT), total protein (TP) level, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization nodules (MN) formation were verified. Levels of interleukins (IL-1ß and IL-17), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and oxide nitric (NO) were checked, from RAW 264.7 cells supernatants. Data were statically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test, or T-test (P ≤ 0.05). Concerning the biofilm formation, Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy showed the best inhibitory effect on E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. And, it also acted similarly to the Ti-6Al-4V alloy on C. albicans and Streptococcus spp. Both alloys were biocompatible and similar to the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Additionally, Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy was more effective for cell differentiation, as observed in the assays of ALP and MN. Regarding the stimulation for release of IL-1ß and TNF-α, Ti-35Nb and Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloys inhibited similarly the synthesis of these molecules. However, both alloys stimulated the production of IL-17. Additionally, all Ti alloys showed the same effect for NO generation. Thus, Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy was the most effective for inhibition of biofilm formation, cell differentiation, and stimulation for release of immune mediators.