Novel Bioactive and Antibacterial Acrylic Bone Cement Nanocomposites Modified with Graphene Oxide and Chitosan

Abstract

Acrylic bone cements (ABCs) have played a key role in orthopedic surgery mainly in arthroplasties, but their use is increasingly extending to other applications, such as remodeling of cancerous bones, cranioplasties, and vertebroplasties. However, these materials present some limitations related to their inert behavior and the risk of infection after implantation, which leads to a lack of attachment and makes necessary new surgical interventions. In this research, the physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, and biological properties of ABCs modified with chitosan (CS) and graphene oxide (GO) were studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), compression resistance, mechanical dynamic analysis (DMA), hydrolytic degradation, cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity with human osteoblasts (HOb), and antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli were used to characterize the ABCs. The results revealed good dispersion of GO nanosheets in the ABCs. GO provided an increase in antibacterial activity, roughness, and flexural behavior, while CS generated porosity, increased the rate of degradation, and decreased compression properties. All ABCs were not cytotoxic and support good cell viability of HOb. The novel formulation of ABCs containing GO and CS simultaneously, increased the thermal stability, flexural modulus, antibacterial behavior, and osteogenic activity, which gives it a high potential for its uses in orthopedic applications.

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

“…After GDs were modified with functional groups or combined with fluorescent/magnetic molecules, the imaging efficiency of the GDs-containing composites with various detection equipment such as computed tomography (CT), 48 ultrasound 49 and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 50 could be significantly improved, by which the structural integrity, 51 tumorigenicity, 52 degradability 53 and mineralization 54 of the composites could be real-timely evaluated, which was definitely helpful for further and deeper study of the bone repair process. Compared with most of other substrate contrast agents, GDs could be more conducive to the quantitative control of loaded fluorescent markers or paramagnetic substances 55 based on their excellent conductivity and large SSA. Moreover, the imaging performances of GDs could be further changed and optimized by functionalization.…”

Nanocomposite Films of Chitosan-Grafted Carbon Nano-Onions for Biomedical Applications

“…Body fluid absorption supports cell-biomaterial interactions and reabsorption of the material [60]. Water absorption was significant for the films since it allowed the interaction with the SBF and shows if that interaction would affect the stability of the films.…”

“…There is a report in demand for the treatment of cancer [52] and the promotion of cell adhesion and proliferation through scaffolds in animal tissues without immune responses [53]. We previously reported nanocomposites of graphene oxide and chitosan with excellent compatibility and thermal improvement [54][55][56][57][58][59][60]. The synthesis of nanocomposites of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol)/oxidized carbon nano-onions (CNO/PVA/ox-CNO) was assessed and applied in Wistar rats' subdermal tissues during 90 days, observing proper resorption with no immune response [61].…”

Antibacterial Bio-Based Polymers for Cranio-Maxillofacial Regeneration Applications

“…Other authors have also used chitosan to induce porosity and roughness to the cement while incorporating additional elements to achieve the desired antibacterial properties. In this sense, Valencia Zapata et al combined both chitosan and graphene oxide nanoparticles into an acrylic bone cement, which supported good cell viability of human osteoblasts while having both antibacterial and osteogenic properties [97,98]. Similarly, De Mori et al, designed a complex PMMA-based cement which was loaded with silver nanowires to achieve antibacterial properties; chitosan to achieve porosity, reduce the maximum setting temperature, and maintain appropriate mechanical properties; and methacryloyl chitosan to promote cross-linking with MMA, reducing the quantity of the monomer to use [99].…”