Development of novel antimicrobial acrylic denture modified with copper nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to synthesize heat-cured poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) acrylic formulated with copper nanoparticles (nCu) for producing dentures with antimicrobial properties and ability to prevent denture stomatitis (DS). METHODS: nCu/PMMA nanocomposites were prepared through in situ formation of nCu into methyl methacrylate (MMA). The fabricated material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopy (energy-dispersive X-ray, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), X-ray diffraction analysis, and mechanical flexural tests (ISO 20795-1:2008). Antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and oral bacteria was determined. MTS assay (ISO 10993-5:2009) and copper release experiments were conducted to assess cytotoxicity. In the clinical trial, participants wearing nCu/PMMA (n=25) and PMMA (n=25) dentures were compared; specifically, DS incidence and severity and Candida species proliferation were assessed for 12 months. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc test (α=0.05). RESULTS: nCu/PMMA nanocomposite loaded with 0.045% nCu exhibited the maximum antimicrobial activity against C. albicans and other oral bacteria without producing cytotoxicity in the wearer. nCu/PMMA dentures retained their mechanical and aesthetic properties as well as inhibited the growth of Candida species on both denture surface and patient palate. DS incidence and severity were lower in the nCu/PMMA denture group than in the PMMA denture group. CONCLUSIONS: PMMA acrylic produced with copper nanotechnology is antimicrobial, biocompatible, and aesthetic and can reduce DS incidence. Thus, this material may act as a novel preventive alternative for oral infections associated with denture use.

In situ preparation and osteogenic properties of bionanocomposite scaffolds based on aliphatic polyurethane and bioactive glass nanoparticles.

Bionanocomposite scaffolds based on aliphatic polyurethane (PU) and bioactive glass nanoparticles were produced by using a one-step in situ polymerization method. Bioactive glass nanoparticles (nBG) or mesoporous BG nanospheres (nMBG) were incorporated during the polymerization reaction to produce simultaneous formation and foaming of porous nanocomposite scaffolds. The in vitro bioactivity of the scaffolds was assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF), and through cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation assays with stem cells. Bone regeneration properties of the scaffold materials were in vivo assessed by using a critical-sized femoral defect model in rat. The scaffold nanocomposites showed excellent cytocompatibility and ability to accelerate the crystallization of bone-like apatite in vitro. nBG/PU bionanocomposite scaffold exhibited the higher capacity to stimulate osteogenic cell differentiation as judged by an increased ALP activity and the presence of mineralized nodules associated with the stem cells. nBG (5%)/PU scaffold significantly also produces in vivo a denser and more significant amount of new bone after 8 weeks of implantation, which is attributed to the more rapid dissolution rate of nBG into osteogenic ionic products compared to nMBG. The results of this work show that the in situ polymerization method combined with the use of nanodimensional BG particles enable the production of PU - based scaffolds with enhanced bioactive properties to stimulate the bone tissue regeneration.

Alveolar bone resorption and Th1/Th17-associated immune response triggered during Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced experimental periodontitis are serotype-dependent.

BACKGROUND: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans expresses several virulence factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Based on the antigenicity of the O-polysaccharide component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes have been described. Among them, serotype b has demonstrated a stronger capacity to trigger Th1 and Th17-associated cytokine, CC-chemokine, and CC-chemokine receptor production on immune cells in vitro. With a murine model of experimental periodontitis, this investigation aimed to analyze the alveolar bone resorption and the pattern of immune response triggered by the different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes within periodontal lesions. METHODS: For periodontal lesion induction, mice were orally infected with the different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes or their purified LPS. Alveolar bone resorption was analyzed using microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial infection, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and Th1 and Th17-associated cytokine, CC-chemokine, and CC-chemokine receptor levels were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). T lymphocytes isolated from periodontal lesions were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In periodontal lesions, serotype b of A. actinomycetemcomitans induced higher alveolar bone resorption and expression of RANKL compared with the other serotypes. In addition, serotype b induced greater levels of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines, CC-chemokines, and CC-chemokine receptors than the others. Similarly, higher numbers of infiltrating Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes were detected in serotype b-induced periodontal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that periodontal lesions induced with different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes elicited distinct alveolar bone resorption and immune response. In particular, serotype b was more pathogenic than the others and induced stronger Th1 and Th17 patterns of immune responses during experimental periodontitis.