In Vitro and In Vivo Degradation, Mechanical Properties, and Histocompatibility of Weft-Knitted Silk Mesh-Like Grafts

To investigate the degradation, mechanical properties, and histocompatibility of weft-knitted silk mesh-like grafts, we carried out the In Vitro and In Vivo silk grafts degradation assay. The In Vitro degradation experiment was performed by immersing the silk grafts in simulated body fluid for 1 year, and the results showed that the degradation rate of the silk mesh-like grafts was very slow, and there were few changes in the mechanical properties and quality of the silk mesh-like graft. In Vivo degradation assay was taken by implantation of the silk mesh-like grafts into the subcutaneous muscles of rabbits. At 3, 6, and 12 months postoperation, the rate of mass loss was 19.36%, 31.84%, and 58.77%, respectively, and the maximum load was 63.85%, 34.63%, and 10.76%, respectively of that prior to degradation. The results showed that the degradation rate of the silk graft and the loss of mechanical properties In Vivo were faster than the results obtained in the In Vitro experiments. In addition, there were no significant differences in secretion of serum IL-6 and TNF-α between the experimental and normal rabbits (P >0.05), suggesting no obvious inflammatory reaction. The findings suggest that the weft-knitted silk mesh-like grafts have good mechanical properties, histocompatibility, and In Vivo degradation rate, and therefore represent a candidate material for artificial ligament

Heat Treatment Effect on Biological Behavior of Polyetheretherketone Composites

Polyetheretherketone is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer, that so with heat treatments, it is possible to get different properties which are very important for the material performance. Heat treatment is a broadly utilized to develop the semi-crystalline polymers properties. In the present investigation, annealing of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was carried out at temperatures above its glass transition temperature (Tg) to study its effects upon the biological conduct of the control and PEEK ternary composites. The bioactivity of the specimens was evaluated by investigating the apatite formation after immersion for different periods in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The biocompatibility of specimens was assessed by MTT assay. Additionally, the antibacterial property of the specimens versus S. aureus was observed with the optical density methods. The results manifested that the formation of hydroxyapatite was obviously observed on specimens after immersion for (7 and 14 days) in the simulated body fluid (SBF). Otherwise, the results of MTT assay recorded the PEEK specimens that excited the activity of fibroblasts, and therefore a high cytocompatibility was noticed and the specimens revealed antibacterial properties against S. aureus. So, the results of the bioactivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial tests in vitro demonstrated that the heat treatment enhanced biological behavior.

PRECIPITATION OF HYBRID HYDROXYAPATITE / AUTOFIBRIN NANOCOMPOSITES

Синтезированы гибридные нанокомпозиты на основе гидроксиапатита и аутофибрина в форме фибринового сгустка либо цитратной плазмы путем осаждения при pH 9. «Мягкие» условия осаждения и быстрое выделение нанокомпозитов способствовали сохранению биополимерной матрицы аутофибрина. Дестабилизация дополнительной фазы аморфного фосфата кальция с образованием стехиометрического гидроксиапатита обусловлена влиянием макромолекул фибрина. Формирование кальцийдефицитного гидроксиапатита с x« 0,1 и Ca / P 1,65 происходило в среде цитратной плазмы, который после 800 °С превращался в смесь гидроксиапатит / 3 -трикальцийфосфат. Синтез композитов на основе биомиметического апатита осуществляли при добавлении 30 об.% модельного раствора Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). Влияние ионов Mg, CO~, входящих в состав SBF, способствовало стабилизации аморфного фосфата кальция и образованию карбонатзамещенного гидроксиапатита, устойчивого к термическим превращениям до 800°С. Совокупное влияние аутофибрина и ионов введенного SBF позволило управлять составом минеральной составляющей гибридных нанокомпозитов без разрушения биополимерной матрицы. Hybrid composites based on hydroxyapatite and autofibrin were synthesized by precipitation in a medium with pH = 9. Soft precipitation conditions and rapid isolation of the composite precipitates favored preservation of a biopolymer matrix of autofibrin. An effect of fibrin macromolecules contributed to destabilization of the amorphous calcium phosphate phase and formation of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite. The medium of the citrated plasma stimulated precipitation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite with x « 0,1 and the Ca / P ration of 1,65 which transformed into the mixture of hydroxyapatite / 3 -tricalcium phosphate at 800 °С. Biomimetic apatite composites were synthesized with an addition of 30 vol. % of a Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) model solution. The effect of Mg, CO~ ions of SBF promoted the stabilization of amorphous calcium phosphate and formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite that exhibited thermal stability up to 800 °С. The cummulative effect of autofibrin and ions of induced SBF provided controlling composition of the mineral part of hybrid nanocomposites without disruption of an autofibrin matrix.

Hydrothermal assisted conventional sol-gel method for synthesis of bioactive glass 70S30Cы

Bioactive glasses (Bioglasses) are widely synthesized by the conventional sol-gel method consisting of two main steps for sol and gel formation. However, the conversion from sol to gel requires a long time (5–7 days). In this study, the hydrothermal system was used to quickly synthesize the bioactive glass by reducing the conversion time from sol to gel. The hydrothermal assisted conventional sol-gel method was applied for synthesis of the bioactive glass 70SiO2–30CaO (mol%) (noted as 70S30C). The synthetic glass was investigated by the physical-chemical techniques. The ‘‘in vitro’’ experiments in SBF (Simulated Body Fluid) solution was also performed to evaluate the bioactivity of synthetic material. The obtained results show that the bioactive glass 70S30C was successfully elaborated by using the hydrothermal assisted conventional sol-gelmethod. The consuming time was reduced compared to the conventional method. The physical-chemical characterization confirmed that the synthetic glass is amorphous material with mesoporous structure consisting of interconnected particles.The specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter of synthetic glass were 142.8 m2/g, 0.52 cm3/g, and 19.1 nm, respectively. Furthermore, synthetic bioactive glass exhibited interesting bioactivity when immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 1 days and good biocompatibility when cultured in cellular media.