Multi-substituted hydroxyapatites (ms-HAPs) are currently gaining more consideration owing to their multifunctional properties and biomimetic structure, owning thus an enhanced biological potential in orthopaedic and dental applications. In this study, nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) substituted with multiple cations (Sr 2+ , Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ ) for Ca 2+ and anion ( Si O 4 4 − ) for P O 4 3 − and OH − , specifically HAPc-5%Sr and HAPc-10%Sr (where HAPc is HAP-1.5%Mg–0.2%Zn–0.2%Si), both lyophilized non-calcined and lyophilized calcined, were evaluated for their in vitro ions release. These nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray, as well as by atomic force microscope images and by surface specific areas and porosity. Further, the release of cations and of phosphate anions were assessed from nano-HAP and ms-HAPs, both in water and in simulated body fluid, in static and simulated dynamic conditions, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The release profiles were analysed and the influence of experimental conditions was determined for each of the six nanomaterials and for various periods of time. The pH of the samples soaked in the immersion liquids was also measured. The ion release mechanism was theoretically investigated using the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The results indicated a mechanism principally based on diffusion and dissolution, with possible contribution of ion exchange. The surface of ms-HAP nanoparticles is more susceptible to dissolution into immersion liquids owing to the lattice strain provoked by simultaneous multi-substitution in HAP structure. According to the findings, it is rational to suggest that both materials HAPc-5%Sr and HAPc-10%Sr are bioactive and can be potential candidates in bone tissue regeneration.

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The goal of this study was to analyze the response of osteoblasts cultured on strontium substituted hydroxyapatites (HAP-Sr) of well-defined high crystallinity deposited as thin films on glass plates. Up to now, this aspect has not been carefully investigated in the context of bio-ceramics. In this study, we present the osteoblasts activity on synthesized HAP-Sr for different amounts of strontium substitution for calcium within the hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP) lattice, namely HAP-5%Sr, HAP-10%Sr, HAP-15%Sr and HAP-59.2%Sr (Sr-HAP, of formula Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2), in comparison with stoichiometric pure HAP, chosen as control. Each bio-ceramic was deposited as thin multilayers self-assembled substrate (scaffold) and chemically bonded to the surface of glass plates. These coatings revealed by AFM and SEM imaging a granular texture formed from bio-ceramic nanoparticles. They possessed a high degree of crystallinity, i.e. 68% to 86%, depending on the Sr amount within the HAP lattice, as judged by XRD. Osteoblasts were cultured up to 21days and displayed enhanced adhesion and proliferation particularly evidenced on relatively high strontium contents (especially 5 and 10 weight %, determined by SEM-EDX), where the alkaline phosphatase activity and type I collagen were strongly evidenced. These bio-ceramics showed a high in vitro biocompatibility stimulating the activity of osteoblasts in the process of bone formation. These nano biomaterials can have applications in orthopedic and dental surgery improving the osteointegration as coatings of bone implants as well as for bone repair and regeneration.

Gold nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous colloidal solutions and their interaction with L-arginine solutions at different concentrations was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The shift towards red of the absorption maximum of gold nanoparticles with increasing L-arginine concentration and in time, and the apparition of a new large band at higher wavelength evidence the formation of assemblies of gold nanoparticles, mediated by the amino acid. TEM images present the progress in the building process of supermolecular structures. Further, the AFM images show the self assemblies of gold nanoparticles capped with L-arginine well ordered in large domains on silanized glass. As a model for the process, we suggest that the positively charged guanidinium group of L-arginine is anchored on the negative citrate capped gold nanoparticles, while the other two functionalities of L-arginine are involved in the bonding between gold nanoparticles. The ability of arginine to specifically bind gold nanoparticles could lead to an increased ability of proteins, containing arginine, to specifically bind to nanogold. Then, they bind other target proteins or different ligands underlying numerous biological and medical applications that range from nanoscale biosensors, cell-cell communications to targeted delivery of drugs to cancer cells.

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