Properties of New Composite Materials Based on Hydroxyapatite Ceramic and Cross-Linked Gelatin for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to develop a new biocompatible and injectable composite with the potential for application as a bone-to-implant bonding material or as a bone substitute. A composite based on hydroxyapatite, gelatin, and two various types of commercially available transglutaminase (TgBDF/TgSNF), as a cross-linking agent, was proposed. To evaluate the impacts of composite content and processing parameters on various properties of the material, the following research was performed: the morphology was examined by SEM microscopy, the chemical structure by FTIR spectroscopy, the degradation behavior was examined in simulated body fluid, the injectability test was performed using an automatic syringe pump, the mechanical properties using a nanoindentation technique, the surface wettability was examined by an optical tensiometer, and the cell viability was assayed by MTT and LDH. In all cases, a composite paste was successfully obtained. Injectability varied between 8 and 15 min. The type of transglutaminase did not significantly affect the surface topography or chemical composition. All samples demonstrated proper nanomechanical properties with Young’s modulus and the hardness close to the values of natural bone. BDF demonstrated better hydrophilic properties and structural stability over 7 days in comparison with SNF. In all cases, the transglutaminase did not lead to cell necrosis, but cellular proliferation was significantly inhibited, especially for the BDF agent.

Polycarboxy/Sulfo Betaine—Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Materials with a Remineralization Potential

“…Polysaccharides as cellulose [13], different synthetic polymers [14,15] (polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, etc. ), and natural substances [16][17][18] (collagen, chitosan, gelatine, etc.) have been used as organic components in HMs.…”

Hydroxyapatite, alginate and gelatin composites used for bone regeneration: a systematic review

“…Composites that present hydroxyapatite (HA) deposition in natural collagen/gelatin phases provide the biomaterial with biomimetic properties of natural bone tissue, desirable characteristics to stimulate bone regeneration (Bartmański et al, 2022). Chao et al (2015) when comparing the use of HA-Gelatin microspheres (21%/79%) (HA-Gel); fibrin glue (F); and Osteoset ® (OS), in a critical bone defect in the calvaria of rats, observed better osteoconductivity and more evident bone formation for the HA-Gel composite in relation to the other materials -F and OS.…”

Biological Response of Human Gingival Fibroblasts to Zinc-Doped Hydroxyapatite Designed for Dental Applications—An In Vitro Study

“…Frequently, HAp is embedded in biopolymer matrices (collagen, gelatin, alginate, and chitosan) or synthetic polymers (poly-ε-caprolactone, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate, poly(lactic-coglycolic) acid) to improve biocompatibility and develop HAp-based biocomposites [67,68]. Furthermore, cross-linking agents (e.g., transglutaminases, glutaraldehyde, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, genipin, and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride) can be used to generate a composite with an independent function [68,69]. All these components of the composites induce separate biological responses and their association could have different impacts on cells.…”