Polysaccharides-Calcium Phosphates Composite Beads as Bone Substitutes for Fractures Repair and Regeneration

Abstract

The tendency of population aging is continuously increasing, which is directly correlated with a significative number of associated pathologies. Several metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis or chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorders involve a high risk of fractures. Due to the specific fragility, bones will not self-heal and supportive treatments are necessary. Implantable bone substitutes, a component of bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategy, proved to be an efficient solution for this issue. The aim of this study was to develop composites beads (CBs) with application in the complex field of BTE, by assembling the features of both biomaterials’ classes: biopolymers (more specific, polysaccharides: alginate and two different concentrations of guar gum/carboxymethyl guar gum) and ceramics (more specific, calcium phosphates), in a combination described for the first time in the literature. The CBs prepared by double crosslinking (ionic and physically) showed adequate physico-chemical characteristics and capabilities (morphology, chemical structure and composition, mechanical strength, and in vitro behaviour in four different acellular simulated body fluids) for bone tissue repair. Moreover, preliminary in vitro studies on cell cultures highlighted that the CBs were free of cytotoxicity and did not affect the morphology and density of cells. The results indicated that the beads based on a higher concentration of guar gum have superior properties than those with carboxymetilated guar, especially in terms of mechanical properties and behaviour in simulated body fluids.

Calcium Orthophosphate (CaPO4) Containing Composites for Biomedical Applications: Formulations, Properties, and Applications

“…At the end of this section, HA biocomposites with other polymers need to be mentioned [386][387][388][389][390][391][392][393][394][395][396]. Among them, PTMC/HA biocomposites have been suggested to be suitable for stereolithographic fabrication of patient-specific flexible implants [393].…”

Polysaccharide Hydroxyapatite (Nano)composites and Their Biomedical Applications: An Overview of Recent Years

“…In the last decade, alginate@HAp composites were developed in more complex ternary systems involving other solid matrices, , including protein, biopolymers, and oxides. For example, the study by Li et al evaluated the HAp effect of the concentration of HAp in alginate-containing composite microspheres for the carriage and release of vancomycin, an important drug with wide applications in the treatment of hard tissue inflammation.…”