Magnesium Phosphate Bioceramics for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Magnesium phosphate (MgP) is a family of newly developed resorbable bioceramics for bone tissue engineering. Although calcium phosphates (CaP) are the most commonly used bioceramics, low solubility, and slow degradation, when implanted in vivo, are their main drawbacks. Magnesium (Mg) is an essential element in the human body as it plays important role in bone metabolism, DNA stabilization, and skeletal development. Recent research on magnesium phosphates has established their higher degradability, in vitro, and in vivo biocompatibility. Compared to CaP, very limited research work has been found in the area of MgP. The prime goal of this review is to bring out the importance of magnesium phosphate ceramics for biomedical applications. In this review, we have discussed the synthesis methods, mechanical properties, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of MgP bioceramics. Moreover, we have highlighted the recent developments in metal ion-doped MgPs and MgP scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Development and Characterization of Acellular Caprine Choncal Cartilage Matrix for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Because of poor regenerative capabilities of cartilage, reconstruction of similar rigidity and flexibility is difficult, challenging, and restricted. The aim of the present investigation was to develop cost-effective acellular xenogeneic biomaterial as cartilage substitution. Two novel biometrics have been developed using different chemical processes (Na-deoxycholate + SDS and GndHCl + NaOH) to decellularize caprine (goat) ear cartilage and further extensively characterized before preclinical investigation. Complete cell removal was ascertained by hematoxylin and eosin staining followed by DNA estimation. No adverse effect on extracellular matrix (ECM) was found by quantifying collagen and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) content as well as collagen, sGAG and elastin staining. Results showed no drastic changes in ECM structure apart from desired sGAG loss. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed cellular loss and unaltered orientation. Nano-indentation study on cartilage matrices indicated interesting output showing better results among decellularized groups. Increased elastic modulus and hardness indicated better stiffness and more active energy dissipation mechanism due to decellularization. Fluid uptake and retention property remained unchanged after decellularization as analyzed by swelling behavior study. Additionally, acellular materials were confirmed to be nonreactive and nonhemolytic as assessed by in vitro hemocompatibility study. In vivo study (up to 3 months) on rabbits showed no symptoms of graft rejection/ tissue necrosis, established through postoperative histology and biochemical analyses of tissue explants. With regard to size, shape, biomechanics, source of origin and nonimmunogenic properties, these developed materials can play versatile role in biomedical/ clinical applications and pave a new insight as alternatives in cartilage reconstruction.