Impact of particulate deproteinized bovine bone mineral and porous titanium granules on early stability and osseointegration of dental implants in narrow marginal circumferential bone defects.

The use of two particulate bone graft substitute materials in experimental narrow marginal peri-implant bone defects was investigated with respect to early bone healing and implant stability. Porous titanium granules, oxidized white porous titanium granules (WPTG), and demineralized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) were characterized in vitro, after which the two latter materials were tested in experimental peri-implant bone defects in six minipigs, with empty defects as control. After mandibular premolar extraction, the top 5mm of the alveoli were widened to 6mm in diameter, followed by the placement of six implants, three on each side, in each pig. Six weeks of healing was allowed. The WPTG showed better mechanical properties. No significant differences in resonance frequency analysis were found directly after compacting or healing, and similar quantities of defect bone formation were observed on micro-computed tomography for all groups. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated a more coronal bone-to-implant contact in the DBBM group, which also displayed more defect bone fill as compared to the WPTG group. The better mechanical properties observed for WPTG appear of negligible relevance for the early stability and osseointegration of implants.

Gelatin-poly(vinyl alcohol) porous biocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide as biomaterials.

The present work aims to develop new biocomposites based on gelatin (Gel) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) reinforced with graphene oxide (GO). On the one hand, the model is designed with consideration of the high performance of the aforementioned biopolymers as biomaterials; on the other hand, the original component of the system, GO, is expected to improve structural stability and boost mechanical strength. Porous Gel-PVA/GO materials with GO content ranging from 0.5 to 3 wt% are obtained by freeze-drying. Structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the ability of well-dispersed GO nanosheets to form interactions with the polymers, leading to a unique molecular structuration. 3D analysis by X-ray microtomography (microCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests that GO has an influence on pore adjustment. According to mechanical tests, GO undoubtedly exhibits a beneficial effect on the polymer resistance against compressive stress, improving their compressive strengths by 97-100% with the addition of 0.5-3 wt% GO. Moreover, biological assessment using the MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast murine cell line indicated the fabrication of a cytocompatible composite formula, with potential for further in vivo testing and tissue engineering applications.

Effect of TiO2 scaffolds coated with alginate hydrogel containing a proline-rich peptide on osteoblast growth and differentiation in vitro.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TiO2 scaffold (SC) coated with an alginate hydrogel containing a proline-rich peptide (P2) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Peptide release was evaluated and a burst release was observed during the first hours of incubation, and then progressively released overtime. No changes were observed in the cytotoxicity after 48 h of seeding MC3T3-E1 cells on the coated and uncoated TiO2 SC. The amount of cells after 7 days was higher on uncoated TiO2 SC than on alginate-coated TiO2 SC, measured by DNA content and scanning electron microscope imaging. In addition, while lower expression of integrin beta1 was detected for alginate-coated TiO2 SC at this time point, similar gene expression was observed for other integrins, fibronectin-1, and several osteoblast differentiation markers. After 21 days, gene expression of integrin beta3, fibronectin-1, osterix, and collagen-I was increased in alginate-coated compared to TiO2 SC. Moreover, increased gene expression of integrin alpha8, bone morphogenetic protein 2, interleukin-6, and collagen-I was found on P2 alginate-coated TiO2 SC compared to alginate-coated TiO2 SC. In conclusion, our results indicate that alginate-coated TiO2 SC can act as a matrix for delivery of proline-rich peptides increasing osteoblast differentiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.

The effect of fluoride surface modification of ceramic TiO2 on the surface properties and biological response of osteoblastic cells in vitro.

This study investigates the effect of fluoride surface modification on the surface properties of polycrystalline ceramic TiO(2) and the biological response of murine osteoblast cells to fluoride-modified TiO(2) in vitro. Fluoride concentrations up to 9 at.% were detected and the fluoride was found to bind to the surface in a ligand exchange reaction between surface hydroxyl groups and the fluoride anions from the HF. No significant changes in the surface topography were detected. In vitro experiments were performed in order to evaluate the biological response of the MC3T3-E1 cells to the fluoride-modified ceramic TiO(2) surfaces. No difference in the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was seen in comparison to unmodified samples, apart from the highest fluoride concentration (∼9 at.%) which was found to be more toxic to the cells. Real-time PCR analysis showed no conclusive evidence for the fluoride-induced promotion of osteoblast differentiation as no significant increase in the collagen-1, osteocalcin, or BMP-2 mRNA levels was detected on the fluoride-modified ceramic TiO(2) surfaces apart from one group, which showed an elevated osteocalcin level and higher number of cells. Since the observed grain boundary corrosion is also anticipated to reduce the mechanical properties of ceramic TiO(2), this surface modification method may not be an ideal method for improving the osteogenic response of ceramic TiO(2) scaffolds.

Impact of trace elements on biocompatibility of titanium scaffolds.

A titanium oxide scaffold has recently been reported with high compressive strength (>2 MPa) which may allow its use in bone. However, would it be possible to enhance the scaffolds' performance by selecting a titanium oxide raw material without elemental contamination? Elements in implant surfaces have been reported to provoke implant failure. Thus, this study aims to compare different commercial titanium dioxide powders in order to choose the appropriate powder for scaffold making. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis identified the trace elements, mainly Al, Si, C, Ca and P. Cellular response was measured by cytotoxic effect, cell growth and cytokine secretion from murine preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) in vitro. The XPS data showed that traces of carbon-based molecules, silicon, nitrogen and aluminium in the powder were greatly reduced after cleaning in 1 M NaOH. As a result, reduction in cytotoxicity and inflammatory response was observed. Carbon contamination seemed to have a minor effect on the cellular response. Strong correlations were found between Al and Si contamination levels and the inflammatory response and cytotoxic effect. Thus, it is suggested that the concentration of these elements should be reduced in order to enhance the scaffolds' biocompatibility.