Hydroxyl radicals and oxidative stress: the dark side of Fe corrosion

Mechanical Strengthening and Degradation Regulation of Iron Foam-Polycaprolactone Interpenetrating Composite Scaffolds

Porous materials, owing to their unique pore networks, are expected to positively influence the enhancement of mechanical properties and modulation of degradation behavior. Herein, composite scaffolds were fabricated by a combination of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) design, selective laser sintering (SLS), and hot-pressing technology, in which iron foam (FFe) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were the reinforcing phase and matrix, respectively. Mechanical strengthening was achieved by forming an interpenetrating structure between the continuously porous FFe and TPMS structure PCL. Regarding degradation regulation, a catalytic degradation microcirculation system (CDMS) was constructed through acid-base neutralization reactions between FFe and PCL degradation products. The results indicated that the compressive and tensile moduli of composite scaffolds were increased by an astonishing 1758.8% and 466.0% compared with the PCL scaffold, which is attributed to the synergistic load sharing and stress transmission efficiency of the interpenetrating structures. In addition, the weight loss of the composite scaffold was 3.6 times higher than that of the PCL scaffold, indicating that the constructed CDMS is expected to achieve degradation regulation. Encouragingly, the composite scaffold also exhibited a good apatite induction ability during in vitro culture. Therefore, the constructed composite scaffold realizes the regulation of mechanical and degradation properties, so that it has potential applications in bone tissue engineering.

Degraded products generated by iron stent inhibit the vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by downregulating AP-1

In-stent restenosis (ISR) following interventional therapy is a fatal clinical complication. Current evidence indicates that neointimal hyperplasia driven by uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a major cause of restenosis. This implies that inhibiting VSMC proliferation may be an attractive approach for preventing in-stent restenosis. In our previous study, we found that the iron stent reduced the neointimal hyperplasia in an atherosclerotic artery stenosis model, and the iron corroded granules generated by the iron stent inhibited neointimal hyperplasia by suppressing the proliferation of VSMCs. However, this observation needs to be validated through in vitro experimentation. In this study, co-culture experiments and flow cytometer assays were performed to qualitatively investigate the effects of iron stent degradation on VSMCs. Moreover, the degraded products resulting generated by the iron stent were collected and used to elucidate the suppressive effect of the iron stents. The underlying mechanism was explored through molecular biology assays. The major findings are as follows: 1) The degraded iron stent inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs; 2) The degraded products of the iron stent downregulated the expression of AP-1. In summary, this study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of degraded iron products on VSMC proliferation, implying that such products have the potential to mitigate in-stent restenosis.

Thrombogenicity of biodegradable metals

Biodegradable metals offer a promising means to ameliorate many of the long-term risks associated with vascular devices made of conventional biostable stent metals. While numerous biodegradable metal alloys have been developed and characterized in animal models, knowledge of their blood reactivity and thrombogenicity remains unknown. Metal hemocompatibility is particularly valuable because current generation drug-eluting stents pose a significant long-term thrombosis risk. In this study, four pure metals, widely used as degradable base materials (Fe, Zn, Mg, and Mo), and three alloys commonly used in cardiovascular devices [NiTi, CoCr, and stainless steel (SS)] were evaluated. This work examined how each of these metals activate platelets, coagulation factors, and inflammation using in vitro hemocompatibility assays and a clinically relevant ex vivo non-human primate arteriovenous shunt model. Testing found that while all metals promoted a downstream activation of platelets and coagulation in flowing whole blood, platelet and fibrin attachment to Mg was markedly reduced. Additionally, Fe and Mo trended toward higher platelet attachment and contact pathway activation. Overall, the results suggest that Mg may delay clot initiation, but not eliminate clot formation, indicating the importance of understanding thrombosis in Mg alloys that are currently being developed for clinical use as biodegradable stents.

Inherent Antibacterial Properties of Biodegradable FeMnC(Cu) Alloys for Implant Application

Implant-related infections or inflammation are one of the main reasons for implant failure. Therefore, different concepts for prevention are needed, which strongly promote the development and validation of improved material designs. Besides modifying the implant surface by, for example, antibacterial coatings (also implying drugs) for deterring or eliminating harmful bacteria, it is a highly promising strategy to prevent such implant infections by antibacterial substrate materials. In this work, the inherent antibacterial behavior of the as-cast biodegradable Fe69Mn30C1 (FeMnC) alloy against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as well as Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is presented for the first time in comparison to the clinically applied, corrosion-resistant AISI 316L stainless steel. In the second step, 3.5 wt % Cu was added to the FeMnC reference alloy, and the microbial corrosion as well as the proliferation of the investigated bacterial strains is further strongly influenced. This leads for instance to enhanced antibacterial activity of the Cu-modified FeMnC-based alloy against the very aggressive, wild-type bacteria P. aeruginosa. For clarification of the bacterial test results, additional analyses were applied regarding the microstructure and elemental distribution as well as the initial corrosion behavior of the alloys. This was electrochemically investigated by a potentiodynamic polarization test. The initial degraded surface after immersion were analyzed by glow discharge optical emission spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, revealing an increase of degradation due to Cu alloying. Due to their antibacterial behavior, both investigated FeMnC-based alloys in this study are attractive as a temporary implant material.

Recent advances in Fe-based bioresorbable stents: Materials design and biosafety

Fe-based materials have received more and more interests in recent years as candidates to fabricate bioresorbable stents due to their appropriate mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, the low degradation rate of Fe is a serious limitation for such application. To overcome this critical issue, many efforts have been devoted to accelerate the corrosion rate of Fe-based stents, through the structural and surface modification of Fe matrix. As stents are implantable devices, the released corrosion products (Fe2+ ions) in vessels may alter the metabolism, by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which might in turn impact the biosafety of Fe-based stents. These considerations emphasize the importance of combining knowledge in both materials and biological science for the development of efficient and safe Fe-based stents, although there are still only limited numbers of reviews regarding this interdisciplinary field. This review aims to provide a concise overview of the main strategies developed so far to design Fe-based stents with accelerated degradation, highlighting the fundamental mechanisms of corrosion and the methods to study them as well as the reported approaches to accelerate the corrosion rates. These approaches will be divided into four main sections, focusing on (i) increased active surface areas, (ii) tailored microstructures, (iii) creation of galvanic reactions (by alloying, ion implantation or surface coating of noble metals) and (iv) decreased local pH induced by degradable surface organic layers. Recent advances in the evaluation of the in vitro biocompatibility of the final materials and ongoing in vivo tests are also provided.

On the Role of Iron in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

The transition metal characteristics of iron allow it to play a fundamental role in several essential aspects of human life such as the transport of oxygen through hemoglobin or the transport of electrons in the mitochondrial respiratory chain coupled to the synthesis of ATP. However, an excess or deficiency of iron is related to certain pathologies. The maintenance of iron homeostasis is essential to avoid certain pathologies related to iron excess or deficiency. The existence of iron deposits in postmortem tissues of Parkinson's patients has been interpreted as evidence that iron plays a fundamental role in the degenerative process of the nigrostriatal system in this disease. The use of iron chelators has been successful in the treatment of diseases such as transfusion-dependent thalassemia and pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. However, a clinical study with the iron chelator deferiprone in patients with Parkinson's disease has not shown positive effects but rather worsened clinical symptoms. This suggests that iron may not play a role in the degenerative process of Parkinson's disease.

Physiomimetic biocompatibility evaluation of directly printed degradable porous iron implants using various cell types

Additively manufactured (AM) degradable porous metallic biomaterials offer unique opportunities for satisfying the design requirements of an ideal bone substitute. Among the currently available biodegradable metals, iron has the highest elastic modulus, meaning that it would benefit the most from porous design. Given the successful preclinical applications of such biomaterials for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the moderate compatibility of AM porous iron with osteoblast-like cells, reported in earlier studies, has been surprising. This may be because, as opposed to static in vitro conditions, the biodegradation products of iron in vivo are transported away and excreted. To better mimic the in situ situations of biodegradable biomaterials after implantation, we compared the biodegradation behavior and cytocompatibility of AM porous iron under static conditions to the conditions with dynamic in situ-like fluid flow perfusion in a bioreactor. Furthermore, the compatibility of these scaffolds with four different cell types was evaluated to better understand the implications of these implants for the complex process of natural wound healing. These included endothelial cells, L929 fibroblasts, RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells, and osteoblastic MG-63 cells. The biodegradation rate of the scaffolds was significantly increased in the perfusion bioreactor as compared to static immersion. Under either condition, the compatibility with L929 cells was the best. Moreover, the compatibility with all the cell types was much enhanced under physiomimetic dynamic flow conditions as compared to static biodegradation. Our study highlights the importance of physiomimetic culture conditions and cell type selection when evaluating the cytocompatibility of degradable biomaterials in vitro. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Additively manufactured (AM) degradable porous metals offer unique opportunities for the treatment of large bony defects. Despite the successful preclinical applications of biodegradable iron in the cardiovascular field, the moderate compatibility of AM porous iron with osteoblast-like cells was reported. To better mimic the in vivo condition, we compared the biodegradation behavior and cytocompatibility of AM porous iron under static condition to dynamic perfusion. Furthermore, the compatibility of these scaffolds with various cell types was evaluated to better simulate the process of natural wound healing. Our study suggests that AM porous iron holds great promise for orthopedic applications, while also highlighting the importance of physio-mimetic culture conditions and cell type selection when evaluating the cytocompatibility of degradable biomaterials in vitro.

Liquid Metal-Based Flexible Bioelectrodes for Management of In-Stent-Restenosis: Potential Application

Although vascular stents have been widely used in clinical practice, there is still a risk of in-stent restenosis after their implantation. Combining conventional vascular stents with liquid metal-based electrodes with impedance detection, irreversible electroporation, and blood pressure detection provides a new direction to completely solve the restenosis problem. Compared with conventional rigid electrodes, liquid metal-based electrodes combine high conductivity and stretchability, and are more compliant with the implantation process of vascular stents and remain in the vasculature for a long period of time. This perspective reviews the types and development of conventional vascular stents and proposes a novel stent that integrates liquid metal-based electrodes on conventional vascular stents. This vascular stent has three major functions of prediction, detection and treatment, and is expected to be a new generation of cardiovascular implant with intelligent sensing and real-time monitoring.

Adaptation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell to Degradable Metal Stent Implantation

Iron-, magnesium-, or zinc-based metal vessel stents support vessel expansion at the period early after implantation and degrade away after vascular reconstruction, eliminating the side effects due to the long stay of stent implants in the body and the risks of restenosis and neoatherosclerosis. However, emerging evidence has indicated that their degradation alters the vascular microenvironment and induces adaptive responses of surrounding vessel cells, especially vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VSMCs are highly flexible cells that actively alter their phenotype in response to the stenting, similarly to what they do during all stages of atherosclerosis pathology, which significantly influences stent performance. This Review discusses how biodegradable metal stents modify vascular conditions and how VSMCs respond to various chemical, biological, and physical signals attributable to stent implantation. The focus is placed on the phenotypic adaptation of VSMCs and the clinical complications, which highlight the importance of VSMC transformation in future stent design.

The Role of Oxidants in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction: Can We Harness Redox Signaling to Improve Clinical Outcomes?

Significance: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is commonly treated using percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, PCI with stent placement damages the endothelium, and failure to restore endothelial function may result in PCI failure with poor patient outcomes. Recent Advances: Oxidative signaling is central to maintaining endothelial function. Potentiation of oxidant production, as observed post-PCI, results in endothelial dysfunction (ED). This review delves into our current understanding of the physiological role that endothelial-derived oxidants play within the vasculature and the effects of altered redox signaling during dysfunction. We then examine the impact of PCI and intracoronary stent placement on oxidant production in the endothelium, which can culminate in stent failure. Finally, we explore how recent advances in PCI and stent technologies aim to mitigate PCI-induced oxidative damage and improve clinical outcomes. Critical Issues: Current PCI technologies exacerbate cellular oxidant levels, driving ED. If left uncontrolled, oxidative signaling leads to increased intravascular inflammation, restenosis, and neoatherosclerosis. Future Directions: Through the development of novel biomaterials and therapeutics, we can limit PCI-induced oxidant production, allowing for the restoration of a healthy endothelium and preventing CAD recurrence.

FeMn and FeMnAg biodegradable alloys: An in vitro and in vivo investigation

Iron-based biodegradable metal bone graft substitutes are in their infancy but promise to fill bone defects that arise after incidents such as trauma and revision arthroplasty surgery. Before clinical use however, a better understanding of their in vivo biodegradability, potential cytotoxicity and biocompatibility is required. In addition, these implants must ideally be able to resist infection, a complication of any implant surgery. In this study there was significant in vitro cytotoxicity caused by pure Fe, FeMn, FeMn1Ag and FeMn5Ag on both human foetal osteoblast (hFOB) and mouse pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) cell lines. In vivo experiments on the other hand showed no signs of ill-effect on GAERS rats with the implanted FeMn, FeMn1Ag and FeMn5Ag pins being removed largely uncorroded. All Fe-alloys showed anti-bacterial performance but most markedly so in the Ag-containing alloys, there is significant bacterial resistance in vitro.

Gasdermin D membrane pores orchestrate IL-1α secretion from necrotic macrophages after NFS-rich silica exposure

IL-1α is an intracellular danger signal (DAMP) released by macrophages contributing to the development of silica-induced lung inflammation. The exact molecular mechanism orchestrating IL-1α extracellular release from particle-exposed macrophages is still unclear. To delineate this process, murine J774 and bone-marrow derived macrophages were exposed to increasing concentrations (1-40 cm2/ml) of a set of amorphous and crystalline silica particles with different surface chemical features. In particular, these characteristics include the content of nearly free silanols (NFS), a silanol population responsible for silica cytotoxicity recently identified. We first observed de novo stocks of IL-1α in macrophages after silica internalization regardless of particle physico-chemical characteristics and cell stress. IL-1α intracellular production and accumulation were observed by exposing macrophages to biologically-inert or cytotoxic crystalline and amorphous silicas. In contrast, only NFS-rich reactive silica particles triggered IL-1α release into the extracellular milieu from necrotic macrophages. We demonstrate that IL-1α is actively secreted through the formation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) pores in the plasma membrane and not passively released after macrophage plasma membrane lysis. Our findings indicate that the GSDMD pore-dependent secretion of IL-1α stock from macrophages solely depends on cytotoxicity induced by NFS-rich silica. This new regulated process represents a key first event in the mechanism of silica toxicity, suitable to refine the existing adverse outcome pathway (AOP) for predicting the inflammatory activity of silicas.

The enhancement of mechanical properties and uniform degradation of electrodeposited Fe-Zn alloys by multilayered design for biodegradable stent applications

Pure Fe is a potential biodegradable stent material due to its better biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but its degradation rate needs to be improved. Alloying with Zn to form Fe-Zn alloy is anticipated to meet the degradation rate requirements while retaining the iron's inherent properties. Therefore, Fe-Zn alloys with monolayered and multilayered structures were prepared by electrodeposition. The alloys' composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation and biocompatibility were assessed. Results showed that the Zn content ranged from 2.1 wt% to 11.6 wt%. After annealing at 450°C, all the alloys consisted of α(Fe) solid solution and Zn-rich B2 ordered coherent phase, except for the alloy with 11.6 wt% Zn content, in which a Fe₃Zn₁₀ phase appeared. The layered structure consisted of alternating columnar-grain and nano-grain layers, which compensated for the intrinsic brittleness of electrodeposited metals and improved the galvanic effect of the alloy, thus increasing the strength and plasticity and changing the corrosion from localized to uniform while augmenting the corrosion rate. The yield strength of the multilayered alloy exceeded 350 MPa, its elongation was more than 20%, and its corrosion rate obtained by immersion test in Hank's solution reached 0.367 mm·y^-1. Fe-Zn alloys with lower Zn content had good cytocompatibility with the human umbilical vein endothelial cells and good blood compatibility. The above results verified that the multilayered Fe-Zn alloy prepared by electrodeposition presented enhanced mechanical properties, higher degradation rate, uniform degradation mechanism and good biocompatibility. It should be qualified for the application of biodegradable stents. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A potential biodegradable Fe-Zn alloy, which is difficult to be obtained by the metallurgical method, was prepared by electrodeposition to solve the low degradation rate of iron-based biomaterials. A multilayered microstructure design composed of alternating columnar-grain and nano-grain layers was achieved by changing the electrical parameters. The layered design compensated for the intrinsic poor plasticity of electrodeposited metals. It increased the galvanic effect of the alloy, thus augmenting the corrosion rate and changing the corrosion mode of the alloy from localized to uniform corrosion. The yield strength of multilayered alloy exceeded 350 MPa; its elongation was more than 20%. Moreover, the layered alloy had good cytocompatibility and blood compatibility. It indicates that the alloy is qualified for biodegradable stent application.

Immune response differences in degradable and non-degradable alloy implants

Alloy based implants have made a great impact in the clinic and in preclinical research. Immune responses are one of the major causes of failure of these implants in the clinic. Although the immune responses toward non-degradable alloy implants are well documented, there is a poor understanding of the immune responses against degradable alloy implants. Recently, there have been several reports suggesting that degradable implants may develop substantial immune responses. This phenomenon needs to be further studied in detail to make the case for the degradable implants to be utilized in clinics. Herein, we review these new recent reports suggesting the role of innate and potentially adaptive immune cells in inducing immune responses against degradable implants. First, we discussed immune responses to allergen components of non-degradable implants to give a better overview on differences in the immune response between non-degradable and degradable implants. Furthermore, we also provide potential areas of research that can be undertaken that may shed light on the local and global immune responses that are generated in response to degradable implants.

Iron corroded granules inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

In-stent restenosis after interventional therapy remains a severe clinical complication. Current evidence indicates that neointimal hyperplasia induced by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a major cause of restenosis. Thus, inhibiting VSMC proliferation is critical for preventing in-stent restenosis. The incidence of restenosis was reduced in nitrided iron-based stents (hereafter referred to as iron stents). We hypothesized that the corroded granules produced by the iron stent would prevent in-stent restenosis by inhibiting VSMC proliferation. To verify this hypothesis, we introduced a dynamic circulation device to analyze the components of corroded granules. To investigate the effects of corroded granules on VSMC proliferation, we implanted the corroded iron stent into the artery of the atherosclerotic artery stenosis model. Moreover, we explored the mechanism underlying the inhibition of VSMC proliferation by iron corroded granules. The results indicated that iron stent produced the corroded granules after implantation, and the main component of the corrosion granules was iron oxide. Remarkably, the corroded granules reduced the neointimal hyperplasia in an atherosclerotic artery stenosis model, and iron corroded granules decreased the neointimal hyperplasia by inhibiting VSMC proliferation. In addition, we revealed that corroded granules reduced VSMC proliferation by activating autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Importantly, safety of iron corroded granules was evaluated and proved to be satisfactory hemocompatibility in rabbit model. Overall, the role of corroded granules in restenosis prevention was described for the first time. This finding highlighted the implication of corroded granules produced by iron stent in inhibiting VSMC proliferation, pointing to a new direction to prevent in-stent restenosis.

A Biodegradable Metal-Polymer Composite Stent Safe and Effective on Physiological and Serum-Containing Biomimetic Conditions

The new-generation coronary stents are expected to be biodegradable, and then the biocompatibility along with biodegradation becomes more challenging. It is a critical issue to choose appropriate biomimetic conditions to evaluate biocompatibility. Compared with other candidates for biodegradable stents, iron-based materials are of high mechanical strength, yet have raised more concerns about biodegradability and biocompatibility. Herein, a metal-polymer composite strategy is applied to accelerate the degradation of iron-based stents in vitro and in a porcine model. Furthermore, it is found that serum, the main environment of vascular stents, ensured the safety of iron corrosion through its antioxidants. This work highlights the importance of serum, particularly albumin, for an in vitro condition mimicking blood-related physiological condition, when reactive oxygen species, inflammatory response, and neointimal hyperplasia are concerned. The resultant metal-polymer composite stent is implanted into a patient in clinical research via interventional treatment, and the follow-up confirms its safety, efficacy, and appropriate biodegradability.

Polyphenol-Rich Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Other Clinical Entities Associated with Altered Iron Metabolism

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is rich in natural polyphenols and may potentially complement oral iron therapy in treating and preventing iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). This narrative review explores the benefits of ginger for IDA and other clinical entities associated with altered iron metabolism. Through in vivo, in vitro, and limited human studies, ginger supplementation was shown to enhance iron absorption and thus increase oral iron therapy's efficacy. It also reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and thus protects against excess free iron. Ginger's bioactive polyphenols are prebiotics to the gut microbiota, promoting gut health and reducing the unwanted side effects of iron tablets. Moreover, ginger polyphenols can enhance the effectiveness of erythropoiesis. In the case of iron overload due to comorbidities from chronic inflammatory disorders, ginger can potentially reverse the adverse impacts and restore iron balance. Ginger can also be used to synthesise nanoparticles sustainably to develop newer and more effective oral iron products and functional ingredients for IDA treatment and prevention. Further research is still needed to explore the applications of ginger polyphenols in iron balance and anaemic conditions. Specifically, long-term, well-designed, controlled trials are required to validate the effectiveness of ginger as an adjuvant treatment for IDA.

The potential of oxygen and nitrogen species-regulating drug delivery systems in medicine

The focus of this review is to present most significant advances in biomaterials used for control of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS, RONS) in medicine. A summary of the main pathways of ROS production and the main pathways of RNS production are shown herein. Although the physiological and pathological roles of RONS have been known for at least 2decades, the potential of their control in management of disease went unappreciated. Recently, advances in the field of biochemical engineering and materials science have allowed for development of RONS-responsive biomaterials for biomedical applications, which aim to control and change levels of reactive species in tissue microenvironments. These materials utilize polymers, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), or organic-inorganic hybrids. Thus, biomaterials like hydrogels have been developed to promote tissue regeneration by actively scavenging and reducing RONS levels. Their promising utility comes from thermo- and RONS-sensitivity, stability as a delivery-medium, ease for incorporation into other materials and facility for injection. Their particular attractiveness is attributed to drug release realized in targeted tissues and cells with elevated RONS levels, which leads to enhanced treatment outcomes and reduced adverse effects. The mechanism of their action depends on the functional groups employed and their response to oxidation, and may be based on solubility changes or cleavage of chemical bonds. When talking about antioxidants, one should also mention oxidative stress, which we call the imbalance between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species, which occurs due to a deficiency of endogenous antioxidants and a low supply of exogenous antioxidants. This study is a review of articles in English from the databases PubMed and Web of Science retrieved by applying the search terms “Oxygen Species, Nitrogen Species and biomaterials” from 1996 to 2021.

Reactive Oxygen Species Formed by Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Physiological Media—A Review of Reactions of Importance to Nanotoxicity and Proposal for Categorization

Diffusely dispersed metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) can adversely affect living organisms through various mechanisms and exposure routes. One mechanism behind their toxic potency is their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly or indirectly to an extent that depends on the dose, metal speciation, and exposure route. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms of ROS formation associated with metal and metal oxide NPs and proposes a possible way forward for their future categorization. Metal and metal oxide NPs can form ROS via processes related to corrosion, photochemistry, and surface defects, as well as via Fenton, Fenton-like, and Haber–Weiss reactions. Regular ligands such as biomolecules can interact with metallic NP surfaces and influence their properties and thus their capabilities of generating ROS by changing characteristics such as surface charge, surface composition, dissolution behavior, and colloidal stability. Interactions between metallic NPs and cells and their organelles can indirectly induce ROS formation via different biological responses. H₂O₂ can also be generated by a cell due to inflammation, induced by interactions with metallic NPs or released metal species that can initiate Fenton(-like) and Haber–Weiss reactions forming various radicals. This review discusses these different pathways and, in addition, nano-specific aspects such as shifts in the band gaps of metal oxides and how these shifts at biologically relevant energies (similar to activation energies of biological reactions) can be linked to ROS production and indicate which radical species forms. The influences of kinetic aspects, interactions with biomolecules, solution chemistry (e.g., Cl⁻ and pH), and NP characteristics (e.g., size and surface defects) on ROS mechanisms and formation are discussed. Categorization via four tiers is suggested as a way forward to group metal and metal oxide NPs based on the ROS reaction pathways that they may undergo, an approach that does not include kinetics or environmental variations. The criteria for the four tiers are based on the ability of the metallic NPs to induce Fenton(-like) and Haber–Weiss reactions, corrode, and interact with biomolecules and their surface catalytic properties. The importance of considering kinetic data to improve the proposed categorization is highlighted.

Potential health risks of the interaction of microplastics and lung surfactant

Microplastics (MPs), as pollutants of environmental concern, are correlated with increased risk of various respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, whether or not MPs have adverse influences on the interfacial properties of lung surfactant (LS), and its effect on the generation of reactive oxygen species are poorly understood. In the present study, natural LS extracted from porcine lungs was used to investigate the interaction with polystyrene as a representative MPs. The results showed that the phase behavior, surface tension, and membrane structure of the LS were altered in the presence of polystyrene. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that in the mixed system of polystyrene and LS (the main active ingredients are phospholipids and proteins), adsorption of phospholipid components by polystyrene was notably higher than that of proteins. Moreover, polystyrene can accelerate the conversion between ascorbic acid and deoxyascorbic acid, thereby producing hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) in simulated lung fluid (containing LS) and further giving rise to an increase in the content of hydroxyl radicals (•OH). This work provides new insight into the potential hazard of MPs in human respiratory system, which is helpful for deeply understanding the unfavorable physicochemical effects of MPs exposure and the role of inhaled MPs on lung health.

Biodegradable iron-silicon implants produced by additive manufacturing

Due to many negative and undesirable side effects from the use of permanent implants, the development of temporary implants based on biocompatible and biodegradable materials is a promising area of modern medicine. In the presented study, we have investigated complex-shaped iron-silicon (Fe-Si) scaffolds that can be used as potential biodegradable framework structures for creating solid implants for bone grafting. Since iron and silicon are biocompatible materials, and their alloy should also have biocompatibility. It has been demonstrated that cells UC-MSC and 3T3 were attached to, spread, and proliferated on the Fe-Si scaffolds' surface. Most of UC-MSC and 3T3 remained viable, only single dead cells were observed. According to the results of biological testing, the scaffolds have shown that deposition of calcium phosphate particles occurs on day one in the scaffold at the defect site that can be used as a primary marker of osteodifferentiation. These results demonstrate that the 3D-printed porous iron-silicon (Fe-Si) alloy scaffolds are promising structures for bone grafting and regeneration.

Modifications on porous absorbable Fe-based scaffolds for bone applications: A review from corrosion and biocompatibility viewpoints

Iron (Fe) and Fe-based scaffolds have become a research frontier in absorbable materials which is inherent to their promising mechanical properties including fatigue strength and ductility. Nevertheless, their slow corrosion rate and low biocompatibility have been their major obstacles to be applied in clinical applications. Over the last decade, various modifications on porous Fe-based scaffolds have been performed to ameliorate both properties encompassing surface coating, microstructural alteration via alloying, and advanced topologically order structural design produced by additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. The recent advent of AM produces topologically ordered porous Fe-based structures with an optimized architecture having controllable pore size and strut thickness, intricate internal design, and larger exposed surface area. This undoubtedly opens up new options for controlling Fe corrosion and its structural strengths. However, the in vitro biocompatibility of the AM porous Fe still needs to be addressed considering its higher corrosion rate due to the larger exposed surface area. This review summarizes the latest progress of the modifications on porous Fe-based scaffolds with a specific focus on their responses on the corrosion behavior and biocompatibility.

Single-Chain Fragment Variables Targeting Leukocidin ED Can Alleviate the Inflammation of Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Mastitis in Mice

Staphylococcus aureus is a vital bovine mastitis pathogen causing huge economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. In our previous studies, leukotoxin ED (LukED) was detected in most S. aureus strains isolated from bovine mastitis. Here, four single-chain fragment variables (scFvs) (ZL8 and ZL42 targeting LukE, ZL22 and ZL23 targeting LukD) were obtained using purified LukE and LukD proteins as the antigens after five rounds of bio-panning. The complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of the VH domain of these scFvs exhibited significant diversities. In vitro, the scFvs significantly decreased LukED-induced cell killing by inhibiting the binding of LukED to chemokine receptors (CCR5 and CXCR2) and reduced the death rates of bovine neutrophils and MAC-T cells caused by LukED and S. aureus (p < 0.05). In an S. aureus-induced mouse mastitis model, histopathology and MPO results revealed that scFvs ameliorated the histopathological damages and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells (p < 0.05). The ELISA and qPCR assays showed that scFvs reduced the transcription and expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8 and IL-18 (p < 0.05). The overall results demonstrated the protective anti-inflammatory effect of scFvs in vitro and in vivo, enlightening the potential role of scFvs in the prevention and treatment of S. aureus-induced mastitis.

Causation of Oxidative Stress and Defense Response of a Yeast Cell Model after Treatment with Orthodontic Alloys Consisting of Metal Ions

Misaligned teeth have a tremendous impact on oral and dental health, and the most efficient method of correcting the problem is orthodontic treatment with orthodontic appliances. The study was conducted to investigate the metal composition of selected orthodontic alloys, the release of metal ions, and the oxidative consequences that the metal ions may cause in the cell. Different sets of archwires, stainless steel brackets, and molar bands were incubated in artificial saliva for 90 days. The composition of each orthodontic material and quantification of the concentration of metal ions released were evaluated. Metal ion mixtures were prepared to determine the occurrence of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme defense system, and oxidative damage to proteins. The beta titanium alloy released the fewest metal ions and did not cause oxidative stress or protein damage. The metal ions from stainless steel and the cobalt-chromium alloy can cause oxidative stress and protein damage only at high concentrations. All metal ions from orthodontic alloys alter the activity of antioxidant enzymes in some way. The determined amounts of metal ions released from orthodontic appliances in a simulated oral environment are still below the maximum tolerated dose, and the concentrations of released metal ions are not capable of inducing oxidative stress, although some changes in antioxidant enzyme activity were observed at these concentrations.

Insight into the bioabsorption of Fe-based materials and their current developments in bone applications

Iron (Fe) and Fe-based materials have been vigorously explored in orthopedic applications in the past decade mainly owing to their promising mechanical properties including high yield strength, elastic modulus and ductility. Nevertheless, their corrosion products and low corrosion kinetics are the major concerns that need to be improved further despite their appealing mechanical strengths. The current studies on porous Fe-based scaffolds show an improved corrosion rate but the in vitro biocompatibility is still problematic in general. Unlike the Mg implants, the biodegradation and bioabsorption of Fe-based implants are still not well described. This vague issue could implicate the development of Fe-based materials as potential medical implants as they have not reached the clinical trial stage yet. Thus, there is a need to understand in-depth the Fe corrosion behavior and its bioabsorption mechanism to facilitate the material design of Fe-based scaffolds and further improve its biocompatibility. This manuscript provides an important insight into the basic bioabsorption of the multi-ranged Fe-based corrosion products with a review of the latest progress on the corrosion & in vitro biocompatibility of porous Fe-based scaffolds together with the remaining challenges and the perspective on the future direction.

Recent advances and directions in the development of bioresorbable metallic cardiovascular stents: Insights from recent human and in vivo studies

Over the past two decades, significant advancements have been made regarding the material formulation, iterative design, and clinical translation of metallic bioresorbable stents. Currently, magnesium-based (Mg) stent devices have remained at the forefront of bioresorbable stent material development and use. Despite substantial advances, the process of developing novel absorbable stents and their clinical translation is time-consuming, expensive, and challenging. These challenges, coupled with the continuous refinement of alternative bioresorbable metallic bulk materials such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), have intensified the search for an ideal absorbable metallic stent material. Here, we discuss the most recent pre-clinical and clinical evidence for the efficacy of bioresorbable metallic stents and material candidates. From this perspective, strategies to improve the clinical performance of bioresorbable metallic stents are considered and critically discussed, spanning material alloy development, surface manipulations, material processing techniques, and preclinical/biological testing considerations. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Recent efforts in using Mg, Fe, and Zn based materials for bioresorbable stents include elemental profile changes as well as surface modifications to improve each of the three classes of materials.  Although a variety of alloys for absorbable metallic stents have been developed, the ideal absorbable stent material has not yet been discovered. This review focuses on the state of the art for bioresorbable metallic stent development. It covers the three bulk materials used for degradable stents (Mg, Fe, and Zn), and discusses their advances from a translational perspective. Strategies to improve the clinical performance of bioresorbable metallic stents are considered and critically discussed, spanning material alloy development, surface manipulations, material processing techniques, and preclinical/biological testing considerations.

Are Fe-Based Stenting Materials Biocompatible? A Critical Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Fe-based materials have increasingly been considered for the development of biodegradable cardiovascular stents. A wide range of in vitro and in vivo studies should be done to fully evaluate their biocompatibility. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the findings and the methodologies used to assess the biocompatibility of Fe materials. The majority of investigators drew conclusions about in vitro Fe toxicity based on indirect contact results. The setup applied in these tests seems to overlook the possible effects of Fe corrosion and does not allow for understanding of the complexity of released chemical forms and their possible impact on tissue. It is in particular important to ensure that test setups or interpretations of in vitro results do not hide some important mechanisms, leading to inappropriate subsequent in vivo experiments. On the other hand, the sample size of existing in vivo implantations is often limited, and effects such as local toxicity or endothelial function are not deeply scrutinized. The main advantages and limitations of in vitro design strategies applied in the development of Fe-based alloys and the correlation with in vivo studies are discussed. It is evident from this literature review that we are not yet ready to define an Fe-based material as safe or biocompatible.