In this study, clinoptilolite (CLN) was employed as a reinforcement in a polymer-based composite scaffold in bone tissue engineering and evaluated in vivo for the first time.Highly porous, mechanically stable, and osteogenic CLN/PCL-PEG-PCL (CLN/PCEC) scaffolds were fabricated with modified particulate leaching/compression molding technique with varying CLN contents. We hypothesized that CLN reinforcement in a composite scaffold will improve bone regeneration and promote repair. Therefore, the scaffolds were analyzed for compressive strength, biodegradation, biocompatibility, and induction of osteogenic differentiation in vitro. CLN inclusion in PC-10 (10% w/w) and PC-20 (20% w/w) scaffolds revealed 54.7% and 53.4% porosity, higher dry (0.62 and 0.76 MPa), and wet (0.37 and 0.45 MPa) compressive strength, greater cellular adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity (2.20 and 2.82 mg/g DNA /min), and intracellular calcium concentration (122.44 and 243.24 g Ca/mg DNA ). The scaffolds were evaluated in a unicortical bone defect at anterior aspect of proximal tibia of adult rabbits 4 and 8 weeks postimplantation. Similar to in vitro results, CLN-containing scaffolds led to efficient regeneration of bone in a dose-dependent manner. PC-20 demonstrated highest quality of bone union, cortex development,and bone-scaffold interaction at the defect site. Therefore, higher CLN content in PC-20 permitted robust remodeling whereas pure PCEC (PC-0) scaffolds displayed fibrous tissue formation. Consequently, CLN was proven to be a potent reinforcement in terms of promoting mechanical, physical, and biological properties of polymer-based scaffolds in a more economical, easy-to-handle, and reproducible approach.
Stem cell therapy can be an advantageous tool for non treatable diseases and has become a theme research for a better solution to many neurodegenerative cases. Despite of being very common in pet animals and equines in the field of veterinary medicine; stem cell based practises in bovines yet remain very limited. In the following study, Bovine adipose derived stem cells (BASCs) were isolated and differentiated into neurospheres. The potential expressions of neuron-specific markers β-III Tubulin, Nestin and Sox2 were demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining on these neurospheres. The outcomes of the study may provide a better understanding to the neurogenic potential of BASCs and can be a footstep for developing new therapeutical approaches for neurodegenerative diseases and syndroms in bovines.
Bone metabolism is a complicated and challenging issue in both physiological and pathological states. The homeostasis of the tissue is majorly being managed by the competing activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor for RANKL and it inhibits osteoclast differentiation by binding RANKL and being produced primarily by osteoblasts. The decrease in OPG level causes excessive osteoclast activation which results in high bone resorption that overcomes new bone formation. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism of OPG production and identify its regulators. In this study, it was aimed to address the effects of TGF-ß3, 17-ß estradiol and bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter, on OPG production from osteoblasts. For this purpose, hfOB cells were treated with TGF-ß3, 17-ß estradiol and BPA for 48 hours both alone and in combinations. The effects of these agents were evaluated by sandwich-ELISA. The analysis showed that TGF-ß3 and 17-ß estradiol treatment causes an increase in OPG levels when used in combination. It was also discovered that BPA exhibits antagonistic effect on OPG production when used along with TGF-ß3 and 17-ß estradiol.
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