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Polyphenols can form functional coatings on a variety of different materials through auto-oxidative surface polymerization in a manner similar to polydopamine coatings. However, the mechanisms behind the coating deposition are poorly understood. We report the coating deposition kinetics of the polyphenol tannic acid (TA) and the simple phenolic compound pyrogallol (PG) on titanium surfaces. The coating deposition was followed in real time over a period of 24 h using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). TA coatings revealed a multiphasic layer formation: the deposition of an initial rigid layer was followed by the buildup of an increasingly dissipative layer, before mass adsorption stopped after approximately 5 h of coating time. The PG deposition was biphasic, starting with the adsorption of a nonrigid viscoelastic layer which was followed by layer stiffening upon further mass adsorption. Coating evaluation by ellipsometry and AFM confirmed the deposition kinetics determined by QCM-D and revealed maximum coating thicknesses of approximately 50 and 75 nm for TA and PG, respectively. Chemical characterization of the coatings and polymerized polyphenol particles indicated the involvement of both physical and chemical interactions in the auto-oxidation reactions.

In head and neck cancer patients receiving dental implants prior to radiotherapy, backscatter from titanium increases the radiation dose close to the surface, and may affect the osseointegration. The dose-dependent effects of ionizing radiation on human osteoblasts (hOBs) were investigated. The hOBs were seeded on machined titanium, moderately rough fluoride-modified titanium, and tissue culture polystyrene, and cultured in growth- or osteoblastic differentiation medium (DM). The hOBs were exposed to ionizing γ-irradiation in single doses of 2, 6 or 10 Gy. Twenty-one days post-irradiation, cell nuclei and collagen production were quantified. Cytotoxicity and indicators of differentiation were measured and compared to unirradiated controls. Radiation with backscatter from titanium significantly reduced the number of hOBs but increased the alkaline phosphatase activity in both types of medium when adjusted to the relative cell number on day 21. Irradiated hOBs on the TiF-surface produced similar amounts of collagen as unirradiated controls when cultured in DM. The majority of osteogenic biomarkers significantly increased on day 21 when the hOBs had been exposed to 10 Gy, while the opposite or no effect was observed after lower doses. High doses reinforced with backscatter from titanium resulted in smaller but seemingly more differentiated subpopulations of osteoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone tissue regeneration in critical-size defects is possible after implantation of a 3D scaffold and can be additionally enhanced once the scaffold is enriched with drugs or other factors supporting bone remodelling and healing. Sodium alendronate (Aln), a widely used anti-osteoporosis drug, exhibits strong inhibitory effect on bone resorption performed by osteoclasts. Thus, we propose a new approach for the treatment of bone defects in craniofacial region combining biocompatible titanium dioxide scaffolds and poly(l -lactide- co -glycolide) microparticles (MPs) loaded with Aln. The MPs were effectively attached to the surface of the scaffolds' pore walls by human recombinant collagen. Drug release from the scaffolds was characterized by initial burst (24 ± 6% of the drug released within first 24 h) followed by a sustained release phase (on average 5 µg of Aln released per day from Day 3 to Day 18). In vitro tests evidenced that Aln at concentrations of 5 and 2.5 µg/ml was not cytotoxic for MG-63 osteoblast-like cells (viability between 81 ± 6% and 98 ± 3% of control), but it prevented RANKL-induced formation of osteoclast-like cells from macrophages derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as shown by reduced fusion capability and decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b activity (56 ± 5% reduction in comparison to control after 8 days of culture). Results show that it is feasible to design the scaffolds providing required doses of Aln inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, reducing osteoclast activity, but not affecting osteoblast functions, which may be beneficial in the treatment of critical-size bone tissue defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare surface topography of porcine and human root dentin and to develop a new in vitro model for class II furcation defects. The hypothesis for this study was that porcine mandible blocks can function as a model for class II furcation defects. Background: Treatment of mandibular class II furcation defects is unpredictable. There is a need for in vitro models to investigate new treatment methods. Methods: A model to investigate the surface topography of porcine and human root dentin was developed and the two tissues compared by SEM imaging and profilometer. A novel method for studying class II furcation defects was then tested. Blocks of porcine mandibles with molar 3 were prepared. Buccal class II furcation defects were created. The furcation area was isolated and bioluminescent Staphylococcus epidermidis Xen43 was used to form a biofilm in the furcation area to test the functionality of the novel furcation model. Results: Micromechanical damage caused by debridement on porcine and human root dentin showed similar pattern. No significant difference in the surface morphological parameters was observed between the corresponding porcine and human samples. The model allowed for assessment of the root surface inside the furcation area. While the number of viable bacteria in the furcation following debridement could be quantified, no significant difference between the treatment groups was detected, likely due to bacterial colonization within the periodontal ligament space. Conclusion: Porcine and human root dentin show similar surface topography following surface debridement. Porcine mandible blocks can function as a model for class II furcation defects. However, further development and refinement of the novel in vitro model is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]