Bioinspired silk fibroin nano-delivery systems protect against 5-FU induced gastrointestinal mucositis in a mouse model and display antitumor effects on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells in vitro.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), is the second cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide is one of the most prevalent types of cancers. Conventional treatment continues to rely on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but for advanced cases, adjuvant chemotherapy remains the main approach for improving surgical outcomes and lower the disease recurrence probability. Chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity is the main dose-limiting factor for many chemotherapeutic regimens, including 5-FU, and one of the biggest oncological challenges. Up to 40% of the patients receiving 5-FU get mucositis, 10-15% of which develop severe symptoms. In this context, our study aimed to develop a bioinspired nanosized drug delivery system as a strategy to reduce 5-FU associated side effects, such as GI mucositis. To this end, SF-based nanoparticles were prepared and characterized in terms of size and morphology, as well as in terms of in vitro antitumoral activity on a biomimetic colorectal cancer model by investigation of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, and release of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the capacity of the SF-based nanocarriers to offer intestinal protection against 5-FU-induced GI mucositis was evaluated in vivo using a mouse model that mimics the chemotherapy-associated gut mucositis occurring in colorectal cancer. Our studies show that silk fibroin nanoparticles efficiently deliver 5-FU to tumor cells in vitro while protecting against drug-induced GI mucositis in a mouse model.

Electrochemical comparison and biological performance of a new CoCrNbMoZr alloy with commercial CoCrMo alloy.

A new CoCrNbMoZr alloy, with Nb and Zr content is characterized from the point of view of surface features, corrosion resistance and biological performance in order to be proposed as dental restorative material. Its properties are discussed in comparison with commercial Heraenium CE alloy based on Co, Cr and Mo as well. The microstructure of both alloys was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition and thickness of the alloy native passive films were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface characteristics were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle techniques. The quantity of ions released from alloys in artificial saliva was evaluated with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) measurements. The electrochemical stability was studied in artificial Carter-Brugirard saliva, performing open circuit potentials, polarization resistances and corrosion currents and rates. The biological performance of the new alloy was tested in vitro in terms of human adipose stem cells (hASCs) morphology, viability and proliferation status. The new alloy is very resistant to the attack of the aggressive ions from the artificial saliva. The surface properties, the roughness and wettabiliy sustain the cell behavior. The comparison of the new alloy behavior with that of existing commercial CoCrMo alloy showed the superior properties of the new metallic biomaterial.