Iron oxide nanoparticles in liquid or powder form enhanced osteogenesis via stem cells on injectable calcium phosphate scaffold.

The objectives of this study were to incorporate iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) into calcium phosphate cement (CPC) to enhance bone engineering, and to investigate the effects of IONPs as a liquid or powder on stem cells using IONP-CPC scaffold for the first time. IONP-CPCs were prepared by adding 1% IONPs as liquid or powder. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were seeded. Subcutaneous implantation in mice was investigated. IONP-CPCs had better cell spreading, and greater ALP activity and bone mineral synthesis, than CPC control. Subcutaneous implantation for 6 weeks showed good biocompatibility for all groups. In conclusion, incorporating IONPs in liquid or powder form both substantially enhanced hDPSCs on IONP-CPC scaffold and exhibited excellent biocompatibility. IONP incorporation as a liquid was better than IONP powder in promoting osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Incorporating IONPs and chitosan lactate together in CPC enhanced osteogenesis of hDPSCs more than using either alone. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) which can be incorporated as liquid or powder can enhance the bioactivity of calcium phosphate cements (CPCs). However, incorporation methods can affect the bioactivity of the final IONP-CPC. Although both methods can result in substantially enhancement of CPCs, incorporation as liquid seemed better than powder in promoting bioactivity. And incorporating IONPs and chitosan lactate together enhanced CPCs better than using either alone. The effects were attributed to the chemical composition, the distribution of IONPs, the scaffold surface properties, and the magnetism effects. Therefore, incorporation methods can affect the bioactivity of IONP-CPC. Suitable incorporation method is promising to achieve better osteogenesis effects. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]