Search

Mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) of the SiO2–CaO–P2O5 system are biocompatible materials with a quick and effective in vitro and in vivo bioactive response. MBGs can be enhanced by including therapeutically active ions in their composition, by hosting osteogenic molecules within their mesopores, or by decorating their surfaces with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In previous studies, our group showed that MBGs, ZnO-enriched and loaded with the osteogenic peptide osteostatin (OST), and MSCs exhibited osteogenic features under in vitro conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate bone repair capability after large bone defect treatment in distal femur osteoporotic rabbits using MBGs (76%SiO2–15%CaO–5%P2O5–4%ZnO (mol-%)) before and after loading with OST and MSCs from a donor rabbit. MSCs presence and/or OST in scaffolds significantly improved bone repair capacity at 6 and 12 weeks, as confirmed by variations observed in trabecular and cortical bone parameters obtained by micro-CT as well as histological analysis results. A greater effect was observed when OST and MSCs were combined. These findings may indicate the great potential for treating critical bone defects by combining MBGs with MSCs and osteogenic peptides such as OST, with good prospects for translation to clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing interest in innovative solutions for addressing bone defects has driven research into the use of Bioactive Mesoporous Glasses (MBGs). These materials, distinguished by their well-ordered mesoporous structure, possess the capability to accommodate plant extracts with well-established osteogenic properties, including bovine lactoferrin (bLF), as part of their 3D scaffold composition. This harmonizes seamlessly with the ongoing advancements in the field of biomedicine. In this study, we fabricated 3D scaffolds utilizing MBGs loaded with extracts from parsley leaves (PL) and embryogenic cultures (EC), rich in bioactive compounds such as apigenin and kaempferol, which hold potential benefits for bone metabolism. Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMa) served as the polymer, and bLF was included in the formulation. Cytocompatibility, Runx2 gene expression, ALP enzyme activity, and biomineralization were assessed in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. MBGs effectively integrated PL and EC extracts with loadings between 22.6 ± 0.1 and 43.6 ± 0.3 µM for PL and 26.3 ± 0.3 and 46.8 ± 0.4 µM for EC, ensuring cell viability through a release percentage between 28.3% and 59.9%. The incorporation of bLF in the 3D scaffold formulation showed significant differences compared to the control in all assays, even at concentrations below 0.2 µM. Combinations, especially PL + bLF at 0.19 µM, demonstrated additive potential, with superior biomineralization compared to EC. In summary, this study highlights the effectiveness of MBGs in incorporating PL and EC extracts, along with bLF, into 3D scaffolds. The results underscore cytocompatibility, osteogenic activity, and biomineralization, offering exciting potential for future in vivo applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid scaffolds based on bioactive glass (BAG) particles (<38 µm), covalently linked to gelatin (G*) using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), have been studied for bone bioengineering. In this study, two glass compositions (13-93 and 13-93B20 (where 20% of the SiO2 was replaced with B2O3)) were introduced in the gelatin matrix. The Cfactor (gelatin/GPTMS molar ratio) was kept constant at 500. The hybrids obtained were found to be stable at 37 °C in solution, the condition in which pure gelatin is liquid. All hybrids were characterized by in vitro dissolution in Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) solution (for up to 4 weeks) and Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) (for up to 2 weeks). Samples processed with 13-93B20 exhibited faster initial dissolution and significantly faster precipitation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer. The faster ion release and HA precipitation recorded from the G*/13-93B20 samples are attributable to the higher reactivity of borosilicate compared to silicate glass. The MC3T3-E1 cell behavior in direct contact with the hybrids was investigated, showing that the cells were able to proliferate and spread on the developed biomaterials. Tailoring the glass composition allows us to better control the material's dissolution, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Bioactive (especially with 13-93B20 BAG) and biocompatible, the hybrids are promising for bone application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]