Conformationally restricted, dipeptide-based, self-assembled nanoparticles for efficient vancomycin delivery

Aim: Emergence of vancomycin (Van) resistance, and usage of its higher dose and short half-life are posing a serious concern. Slow and sustained release of Van using a nanodelivery system may overcome these problems. Materials & methods: Arginine-α,β-dehydrophenylalanine (RΔF) was synthesized using solution-phase synthesis which self-assembled into nanospheres. Van was entrapped in the nanoparticles (NPs). In vitro and in vivo efficacy of Van-RΔF was determined using broth microdilution and the mouse thigh infection model, respectively. Results & conclusion: Van-RΔF NPs efficiently inhibited bacterial growth (Staphylococcus aureus), while Van alone showed limited growth inhibition in in vitro. Intravenous administration of Van-RΔF in mice with bacterial thigh infection showed enhanced efficacy (double) compared with Van alone, which indicates its high potential for further development.

Construction of Local Drug Delivery System on Titanium-Based Implants to Improve Osseointegration

Titanium and its alloys are the most widely applied orthopedic and dental implant materials due to their high biocompatibility, superior corrosion resistance, and outstanding mechanical properties. However, the lack of superior osseointegration remains the main obstacle to successful implantation. Previous traditional surface modification methods of titanium-based implants cannot fully meet the clinical needs of osseointegration. The construction of local drug delivery systems (e.g., antimicrobial drug delivery systems, anti-bone resorption drug delivery systems, etc.) on titanium-based implants has been proved to be an effective strategy to improve osseointegration. Meanwhile, these drug delivery systems can also be combined with traditional surface modification methods, such as anodic oxidation, acid etching, surface coating technology, etc., to achieve desirable and enhanced osseointegration. In this paper, we review the research progress of different local drug delivery systems using titanium-based implants and provide a theoretical basis for further research on drug delivery systems to promote bone–implant integration in the future.

Promising Graphene-Based Nanomaterials and Their Biomedical Applications and Potential Risks: A Comprehensive Review

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have been the subject of research focus in the scientific community because of their excellent physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Several studies have been conducted on GBNs, and they have provided a detailed review and summary of various applications. However, comprehensive comments on biomedical applications and potential risks and strategies to reduce toxicity are limited. In this review, we systematically summarized the following aspects of GBNs in order to fill the gaps: (1) the history, synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and surface modification; (2) the latest advances in biomedical applications (including drug/gene delivery, biosensors, bioimaging, tissue engineering, phototherapy, and antibacterial activity); and (3) biocompatibility, potential risks (toxicity in vivo/vitro and effects on human health and the environment), and strategies to reduce toxicity. Moreover, we have analyzed the challenges to be overcome in order to enhance application of GBNs in the biomedical field.

Calcium alginate nanoparticle crosslinked phosphorylated polyallylamine to the controlled release of clindamycin for osteomyelitis treatment

Osteomyelitis is one of the infections of the bone, and the treatment needs to the infection problems. Here, a local therapeutic approach for efficient drug delivery systems was designed to enhance the antibiotic drug's therapeutic activity. Calcium-Alginate nanoparticle (Ca-Alg) crosslinked phosphorylated polyallylamine (PPAA) was prepared through the salting-out technique, and it achieved 82.55% encapsulation of Clindamycin drug. The physicochemical characterizations of FTIR, SEM/EDX, TEM, and XRD were investigated to confirm the materials nature and formation. Clindamycin loaded Ca-Alg/PPAA system showed sustained Clindamycin release from the carrier. Cell viability was assessed in bone-related cells by Trypan blue assay and MTT assay analysis method. Both assay results exhibited better cell viability of synthesized materials against MG63 cells. MIC value of Ca-Alg/PPAA/Clindamycin in the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogen was 275 µg/mL, and it was 120 µg/mL for Enterobacter cloacae pathogen. The materials promising material for Osteomyelitis affected bone regeneration without any destructive effect and speedy recovery of infected parts from these investigations.

Graphene-Based Biomaterials for Bone Regenerative Engineering: A Comprehensive Review of the Field and Considerations Regarding Biocompatibility and Biodegradation

Graphene and its derivatives have continued to garner worldwide interest due to their unique characteristics. Having expanded into biomedical applications, there have been efforts to employ their exceptional properties for the regeneration of different tissues, particularly bone. This article presents a comprehensive review on the usage of graphene-based materials for bone regenerative engineering. The graphene family of materials (GFMs) are used either alone or in combination with other biomaterials in the form of fillers in composites, coatings for both scaffolds and implants, or vehicles for the delivery of various signaling and therapeutic agents. The applications of the GFMs in each of these diverse areas are discussed and emphasis is placed on the characteristics of the GFMs that have implications in this regard. In tandem and of importance, this article evaluates the safety and biocompatibility of the GFMs and carefully elucidates how various factors influence the biocompatibility and biodegradability of this new class of nanomaterials. In conclusion, the challenges and opportunities regarding the use of the GFMs in regenerative engineering applications are discussed, and future perspectives for the developments in this field are proposed.

Novel Biocompatible Amino Acids-Functionalized Three-dimensional Graphene Foams: As the Attractive and Promising Cisplatin Carriers for Sustained Release Goals

Application of amino acids-immobilized porous materials for drug delivery studies has been attracted a lot of attention in the recent years. In this study, amino acids-grafted graphene foams were prepared by anchoring of Alanine (Ala), Cysteine (Cys) and Glycine (Gly) amino acids on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) nanostructures and used as the novel biocompatible carriers to control releasing of the cisplatin as the cytotoxic anticancer drug. The characterization of prepared compounds was done by the FT-IR, Raman, TGA, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, SEM, and TEM techniques. Adsorption and in vitro release behavior of amino acids-functionalized foams were studied using ICP standard method. The results show that the drug loading amount and the drug releasing rate are significantly enhanced upon functionalization process. The Ala-Foam sample with the larger surface area and pore volume showed a higher loading content (4.53%) than other samples. In addition, the MTT test on the two MCF-7 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines exhibited an acceptable biocompatibility and sustainable drug releasing from the carriers up to 48 h, leading to the dosage frequency decrease and the patient compliance improvement.

Applications of Graphene and Its Derivatives in Bone Repair: Advantages for Promoting Bone Formation and Providing Real-Time Detection, Challenges and Future Prospects

During continuous innovation in the preparation, characterization and application of various bone repair materials for several decades, nanomaterials have exhibited many unique advantages. As a kind of representative two-dimensional nanomaterials, graphene and its derivatives (GDs) such as graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide have shown promising potential for the application in bone repair based on their excellent mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, large specific surface area (SSA) and atomic structure stability. Herein, we reviewed the updated application of them in bone repair in order to present, as comprehensively, as possible, their specific advantages, challenges and current solutions. Firstly, how their advantages have been utilized in bone repair materials with improved bone formation ability was discussed. Especially, the effects of further functionalization or modification were emphasized. Then, the signaling pathways involved in GDs-induced osteogenic differentiation of stem cells and immunomodulatory mechanism of GDs-induced bone regeneration were discussed. On the other hand, their applications as contrast agents in the field of bone repair were summarized. In addition, we also reviewed the progress and related principles of the effects of GDs parameters on cytotoxicity and residues. At last, the future research was prospected.

One-Step Preparation of an AgNP-nHA@RGO Three-Dimensional Porous Scaffold and Its Application in Infected Bone Defect Treatment

Background

Bactericidal capacity, durable inhibition of biofilm formation, and a three-dimensional (3D) porous structure are the emphases of infected bone defect (IBD) treatment via local scaffold implantation strategy.

Purpose

In this study, silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-loaded nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)@ reduced graphene oxide (RGO) 3D scaffolds (AHRG scaffolds) were designed to alleviate bone infection, inhibit biofilm formation, and promote bone repair through the synergistic effects of AgNPs, RGO, and nHA.

Materials and Methods

AHRGs were prepared using a one-step preparation method, to create a 3D porous scaffold to facilitate a uniform distribution of AgNPs and nHA. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was used as a model-resistant bacterium, and the effects of different silver loadings on the antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility of materials were evaluated. Finally, a rabbit IBD model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the AHRG scaffold in vivo.

Results

The results showed successful synthesis of the AHRG scaffold. The ideal 3D porous structure was verified using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction measurements revealed uniform distributions of AgNP and nHA. In vitro antibacterial and cytocompatibility indicated that the 4% AHRG scaffolds possessed the most favorable balance of bactericidal properties and cytocompatibility. In vivo evaluation of the IBD model showed promising treatment efficacy of AHRG scaffolds.

Conclusion

The as-fabricated AHRG scaffolds effectively eliminated infection and inhibited biofilm formation. IBD repair was facilitated by the bactericidal properties and 3D porous structure of the AHRG scaffold, suggesting its potential in the treatment of IBDs.

Biodegradable nanocomposite fibrous scaffold mediated local delivery of vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA infected experimental osteomyelitis

The study shows the development of a biodegradable bi-functional composite scaffold that can reduce bacterial infection, while promotes bone regeneration in osteomyelitis, without the need for revision surgery.

Use of Antibiotic Loaded Biomaterials for the Management of Bone Prosthesis Infections: Rationale and Limits

BACKGROUND

Periprosthetic joint infection still represents a challenging issue for the orthopedic community. In the United States approximately a million joint arthroplasties are performed each year, with infection rates ranging from 1 to 2%: revisions has significant implications on health care costs and appropriate resource management. The use of locally applied antibiotics as a prophylaxis measure or as a component of the therapeutic approach in primary or revision surgery is finalized at eliminating any microorganism and strengthening the effectiveness of systemic therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The present review of clinical and preclinical in vivo studies tried to identify advantages and limitations of the materials used in the clinical orthopedic practice and discuss developed biomaterials, innovative therapeutic approaches or strategies to release antibiotics in the infected environment.

METHODS

A systematic search was carried out by two independent observers in two databases (www.pubmed.com and www.scopus.com) in order to identify pre-clinical and clinical reports in the last 10 years.

RESULTS

71 papers were recognized eligible: 15 articles were clinical studies and 56 in vivo studies.

CONCLUSION

Polymethylmethacrylate was the pioneer biomaterial used to manage infections after total joint replacement. Despite its widespread use, several issues still remain debated: the methods to combine materials and antibiotics, the choice of antibiotics, releasing kinetics and antibiotics efficacy. In the last years, the interest was directed towards the selection of different antibiotics, loaded in association with more than only one class and biomaterials with special focus on delivery systems as implant surface coatings, hydrogels, ceramics, micro-carriers, microspheres or nanoparticles.

Mechanism of Controlled Release of Vancomycin from Crumpled Graphene Oxides

The physical and chemical interactions with vancomycin (VAN) were accessed between graphene oxide (GO) and crumpled graphene oxide (CGO) to present the possible loading and release mechanisms. The improved hydrophilicity and surface charge were found on CGO through water contact angle and ζ-potential measurements. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies confirmed the attachment of VAN onto CGO or GO through π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Both CGO-VAN and GO-VAN drug complexes showed pH-controlled release property. The high VAN loading and delayed release in CGO-VAN system were mainly due to the crumpled morphology.

Antibacterial Properties of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials

Bacteria mediated infections may cause various acute or chronic illnesses and antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria has become a serious health problem around the world due to their excessive use or misuse. Replacement of existing antibacterial agents with a novel and efficient alternative is the immediate demand to alleviate this problem. Graphene-based materials have been exquisitely studied because of their remarkable bactericidal activity on a wide range of bacteria. Graphene-based materials provide advantages of easy preparation, renewable, unique catalytic properties, and exceptional physical properties such as a large specific surface area and mechanical strength. However, several queries related to the mechanism of action, significance of size and composition toward bacterial activity, toxicity criteria, and other issues are needed to be addressed. This review summarizes the recent efforts that have been made so far toward the development of graphene-based antibacterial materials to face current challenges to combat against the bacterial targets. This review describes the inherent antibacterial activity of graphene-family and recent advances that have been made on graphene-based antibacterial materials covering the functionalization with silver nanoparticles, other metal ions/oxides nanoparticles, polymers, antibiotics, and enzymes along with their multicomponent functionalization. Furthermore, the review describes the biosafety of the graphene-based antibacterial materials. It is hoped that this review will provide valuable current insight and excite new ideas for the further development of safe and efficient graphene-based antibacterial materials.

An overview of graphene-based hydroxyapatite composites for orthopedic applications

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is an attractive bioceramic for hard tissue repair and regeneration due to its physicochemical similarities to natural apatite. However, its low fracture toughness, poor tensile strength and weak wear resistance become major obstacles for potential clinical applications. One promising method to tackle with these problems is exploiting graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide) as nanoscale reinforcement fillers to fabricate graphene-based hydroxyapatite composites in the form of powders, coatings and scaffolds. The last few years witnessed increasing numbers of studies on the preparation, mechanical and biological evaluations of these novel materials. Herein, various preparation techniques, mechanical behaviors and toughen mechanism, the in vitro/in vivo biocompatible analysis, antibacterial properties of the graphene-based HA composites are presented in this review.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles/gelatin porous composite scaffolds with localized and sustained release of vancomycin for treatment of infected bone defects

A highly porous composite scaffold with localized and sustained antibiotic release property for treatment of infected bone defects.

Fabrication of graphene–biomacromolecule hybrid materials for tissue engineering application

In this review, we demonstrated the recent advances in the fabrication strategies of graphene–biomacromolecule hybrid materials and their applications in the field of tissue engineering, such as implant materials, cell culture scaffolds, and regenerative medicine.