Hydroxyapatite-Based Magnetic Bionanocomposite as Pharmaceuticals Carriers in Chitosan Scaffolds

Anderson Valério Chaves,Victor Pinheiro Feitosa,Davino Machado Andrade Neto,Rafael Melo Freire,Pierre Basílio Almeida Fechine,Nágila Maria Pontes Silva Ricardo,Juliano Casagrande Denardin

doi:10.3390/jcs5020037

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a bioceramic very similar to the mineral component of bones and teeth. It is well established that osteoblasts grow better onto HA-coated metals than on metals alone. Herein, the preparation of a new system consisting of magnetite (Fe3O4) and HA functionalized with oleic acid and simvastatin (SIMV), and incorporated in chitosan (CHI) scaffolds, was undertaken. HA was synthesized by the hydrothermal method, while Fe3O4 was synthesized by co-precipitation. The polymer matrix was obtained using a 2% CHI solution, and allowed to stir for 2 h. The final material was freeze-dried to produce scaffolds. The magnetic properties remained unchanged after the formation of the composite, as well as after the preparation of the scaffolds, maintaining the superparamagnetism. CHI scaffolds were analyzed by scanning electronic spectroscopy (SEM) and showed a high porosity, with very evident cavities, which provides the functionality of bone growth support during the remineralization process in possible regions affected by bone tissue losses. The synthesized composite showed an average particle size between 15 and 23 nm for particles (HA and Fe3O4). The scaffolds showed considerable porosity, which is important for the performance of various functions of the tissue structure. Moreover, the addition of simvastatin in the system can promote bone formation.

Highlights

Natural and synthetic bioceramics calcium phosphates are currently presented as one of the main materials used in medicine and dentistry
The hydroxyapatite-based magnetic composite functionalized with oleic acid (OA) and simvastatin was synthesized according to the proposed methodology, in addition to the
The hydroxyapatite-based magnetic composite functionalized with OA and simvastatin was synthesized according to the proposed methodology, in addition to the production of CHI scaffolds and their incorporation of the composite

Summary

Introduction

Natural and synthetic bioceramics calcium phosphates are currently presented as one of the main materials used in medicine and dentistry. They are applied to the repair of bone loss due to their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, which stimulates an adequate response of living tissue [1]. The wide acceptance of the bioceramics based on calcium phosphate occurs mainly due to its high degree of biocompatibility, which is related to its chemical similarity to the compounds normally found in the bone tissue [2]. The last one (HA) is the most studied, the principal inorganic constituent of bone matrix and teeth, which achieves optimal biocompatibility and is suitable for osteoblasts growing [4,5]. Due to the superficial roughness, HA may further increase the adhesion of osteoblasts, its proliferation and differentiation, thereby providing faster bone regeneration [6,7,8]

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