Li-Doped Bioactive Ceramics: Promising Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Lithium (Li) is a metal with critical therapeutic properties ranging from the treatment of bipolar depression to antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral and pro-regenerative effects. This element can be incorporated into the structure of various biomaterials through the inclusion of Li chloride/carbonate into polymeric matrices or being doped in bioceramics. The biocompatibility and multifunctionality of Li-doped bioceramics present many opportunities for biomedical researchers and clinicians. Li-doped bioceramics (capable of immunomodulation) have been used extensively for bone and tooth regeneration, and they have great potential for cartilage/nerve regeneration, osteochondral repair, and wound healing. The synergistic effect of Li in combination with other anticancer drugs as well as the anticancer properties of Li underline the rationale that bioceramics doped with Li may be impactful in cancer treatments. The role of Li in autophagy may explain its impact in regenerative, antiviral, and anticancer research. The combination of Li-doped bioceramics with polymers can provide new biomaterials with suitable flexibility, especially as bio-ink used in 3D printing for clinical applications of tissue engineering. Such Li-doped biomaterials have significant clinical potential in the foreseeable future.

Lithium: A Promising Anticancer Agent

“…The biocompatibility and multifunctionality of Li-doped bioceramics with polymers provided new biomaterials used in 3D printing for clinical applications of tissue engineering [ 202 ]. Furthermore, lithium-ferrite bioactive glasses prepared using the sol-gel methodology were used for hyperthermia therapy.…”

Bioprinting-Enabled Biomaterials: A Cutting-Edge Strategy for Future Osteoarthritis Therapy

“…Although the field of bioinks-based DDS for cartilage regeneration in OA is still in its early stages, it holds tremendous potential for improving the treatment outcomes of OA patients. 80 Various bioink formulations, cell sources, and therapeutic agents have been developed to optimize the effectiveness of these advanced DDS.…”

Bioceramic materials with ion‐mediated multifunctionality for wound healing

“…can be integrated into their flexible glass network to improve the biological properties of BG such as angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and antibacterial effects. 25,27,30,33,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] The biological responses to ionic dissolution products of BGs are schemed in Figure 2. 26 Generally, the metallic ions are important components of many enzymes and function as cofactors that stimulate metabolic reactions associated with cell signaling pathways during tissue regeneration.…”

“…More importantly, apart from the main chemical components (i.e., Si, Ca, P, B), diverse therapeutic ions (Ag, Au, Li, Sr, Cu, Mg, Zn, Ce, Mo, Mn, Fe, Nd, Eu, etc.) can be integrated into their flexible glass network to improve the biological properties of BG such as angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and antibacterial effects 25,27,30,33,51–65 . The biological responses to ionic dissolution products of BGs are schemed in Figure 2 26 …”