Aug 2026· International Journal of Molecular Sciences· 0 citations· 36 references
TL;DR
The reduction in microbial adhesion, coupled with enhanced osteoblast attachment, suggests a synergistic effect that may increase the success rate of implant integration at an early stage.
Abstract
Modern biomaterials are increasingly expected to fulfill multiple functions simultaneously. The aim of this study was to develop multifunctional composite microspheres (MSs) based on poly(L-lactic acid) and hydroxyapatite (PLA/HAp), surface-modified with lactoferrin (Lf). The objective was to create a material exhibiting antimicrobial, pro-adhesive, and osteogenic properties for potential applications in modular tissue engineering. Microspheres with diameters ranging from 70 to 150 µm were fabricated using an oil-in-water emulsification method and subsequently coated with lactoferrin. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans by assessing bacterial adhesion, colony formation, and reduction rates. Osteoblast behavior, including adhesion and differentiation, was investigated using the MC3T3 cell line. The morphology of the samples was analyzed via optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that Lf-coated MSs exerted a significant antibacterial effect against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the presence of lactoferrin enhanced cell adhesion to the microspheres, as confirmed by the MTT assay after 24 h of incubation. On day 14, osteogenic differentiation was observed in cultures containing Lf-coated MSs, even in the absence of exogenous differentiating factors. Additionally, hematoxylin and eosin (H/E) staining revealed improved self-assembly of the Lf-modified microspheres. The reduction in microbial adhesion, coupled with enhanced osteoblast attachment, suggests a synergistic effect that may increase the success rate of implant integration at an early stage.
AIM
This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial performance and biocompatibility of our drug delivery platform, based on layer-by-layer (LbL) coating incorporating tetracycline (TC) complexed with anionic β-cyclodextrin (TCβCD) and a pH-responsive poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) film, applied to titanium (Ti) surfaces representing abutment components.
METHODS
A rat subcutaneous implant-related infection model was established using a polymicrobial biofilm derived from peri-implantitis patient saliva. Contaminated Ti controls and coated discs were implanted and analyzed after 1 and 7 days through clinical, microbiological, confocal, and histological assessments. In parallel, in vitro experiments using fibroblast cultures were conducted to evaluate the expression of genes associated with collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix remodeling.
RESULTS
Coated implants exhibited minimal inflammatory response, whereas control specimens presented with purulent exudate. Microbiological analysis demonstrated sustained antimicrobial activity, with > 3 log10 reduction in viable bacteria at both time points. Confocal microscopy confirmed strong microbicidal effects, particularly in the PMAA group. Coatings also modulated host responses, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory mediators and matrix remodeling markers. Histology revealed enhanced collagen deposition and accelerated connective tissue maturation, especially with LbL/TCβCD/PMAA, consistent with upregulated collagen-related gene expression observed in vitro.
CONCLUSION
The multifunctional coating provides sustained antimicrobial activity alongside immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative effects, supporting its potential to treat implant-related infections while enhancing peri-implant soft tissue remodeling.
Mariana Martins Guerreiro, Amanda Paino Santana, D. M. Cunha et al.· Journal of Periodontal Resea...· 0 citations
Background: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) plays a major role in dental biofilm-related infections and contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the development of biocompatible nanomaterials with antibacterial, antibiofilm, and regenerative properties is important for dental applications. Methods: In this study, hyaluronic acid and clove extract were used as natural precursors to synthesize hyaluronic acid-clove carbon dots (HCCDs) through a hydrothermal method. The synthesized HCCDs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, SAED and EDAX analysis. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against S. mutans were tested. Cell viability tests, AO/PI staining, morphological observation and wound-healing assays were used to evaluate cytocompatibility in MG-63 cells. Results: A broad peak (23.449) observed from XRD coincided with an amorphous graphitic carbon structure. TEM images showed the presence of a spherical nanostructure with an average size of 4 ± 2 nm. The FTIR result verified the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and oxygen-containing functional groups on the HCCD surface. Their synthesized HCCDs exhibited noteworthy antibacterial and antibiofilm activity with an MIC of 62.5 µg/mL against the S. mutans. Low toxicity toward MG-63 cells was observed, with 86% cell viability at 200 µg/mL in the cytocompatibility study. Additional good cellular compatibility was confirmed using AO/PI staining and morphological analysis. Furthermore, normal cell migration was observed, as wound healing assays showed no significant difference in closure between the treated and control groups. Conclusion: HCCDs exhibited antibacterial, antibiofilm, biocompatible, and wound-healing properties, highlighting their potential for dental nanomedicine and the treatment of oral biofilm-associated infections.
Mohanprasanth Aruchamy, N. Thirumalaivasan· Dental journal· 0 citations
We aimed to develop a composite poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/calcium phosphate nanoparticles scaffold with the optimal three-dimensional structure to provide an environment for bone tissue regeneration. Composite PLGA-based scaffolds with the inclusion of 15% hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) nanoparticles, as well as scaffolds with the addition of 15% xenogeneic bone chips, and with different pore diameters were prepared by a solvent casting with particle leaching method. Synthesized HA and β-TCP nanoparticles were characterized using x-ray phase analysis and atomic force microscopy. The scaffold morphology was studied with electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The scaffold biocompatibility, immunogenicity, inflammatory and osteoinductive properties were investigated in vitro using dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), human lymphocyte culture, and RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Among the investigated samples, the PLGA/ β-TCP scaffold showed the highest osteoinduction, and the scaffold with 530 ± 56 μm average pore diameter demonstrated the highest expression of osteodifferentiation marker genes in DPSCs. Furthermore, the addition of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix led to the decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages. PLGA with 15% β-TCP and 530 ± 56 μm pore size had the best bioactivity among the tested scaffolds in vitro, and it could be considered as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.
Andrei V Yushkov, E. A. Kuvshinova, I. Bulygina et al.· Biomedical Materials· 0 citations
OBJECTIVES
The long-term stability of resin-dentin bonds is limited by hydrolytic degradation of the hybrid layer. This study developed and evaluated a bioactive organic complex obtained by electrospinning and cryogenic milling (CP-EF) and investigated its effect when incorporated into a universal dental adhesive.
METHODS
Doxycycline (DOX)-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers were initially fabricated by electrospinning and subsequently processed by cryomilling to generate fibrous microparticles (CP-EF), enabling their homogeneous incorporation into the adhesive at 5 wt.% and 10 wt.%. The electrospun fibers and the CP-EF complex were characterized regarding morphology, chemical composition, drug release, and biocompatibility. The modified adhesives were evaluated for degree of conversion, wettability, water sorption, solubility, and surface interaction with dentin (Raman spectroscopy). Live/dead assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial effects against S. mutans biofilm. Zymography assay was used to test the inhibition potential against metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Bonding performance was assessed by microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and work of fracture (Wf), tested immediately and after accelerated aging in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
RESULTS
Fiber incorporation did not impair polymerization efficacy or immediate bonding performance. CP-EF-modified adhesives exhibited increased hydrophilicity, ability of releasing DOX, enhanced dentin surface interaction, and antibacterial effects against S. mutans. The CP-EF10% formulation inhibited the expression of both MMPs, whereas the other adhesives did not exhibit any MMP inhibition potential. Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of DOX within the hybrid layer for CP-EF-treated dentin. After aging, the adhesive containing 10 wt.% CP-EF preserved bond strength and showed significantly higher µTBS and Wf compared with the control and 5 wt.% group. Stress-strain analysis revealed a multi-stage deformation mechanism, indicating a tougher and more damage-tolerant resin-dentin interface.
CONCLUSIONS
The electrospinning-cryomilling strategy enabled the development of a bioactive fibrous complex capable of reinforcing adhesive interfaces and mitigating hydrolytic degradation via MMP inhibition, supporting its potential for improving the longevity of resin-dentin bonds and capable of bacteria inhibition.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
An adequate loading of electrospun fibrous particles can modulate interfacial mechanics and degradation pathways, supporting the potential of this strategy to develop more bioactive, compliant and durable adhesive systems.
E. A. Münchow, Bianca Tatsch Silveira, M. T. Albuquerque et al.· E -journal of dentistry· 0 citations
Bacterial infections, especially those caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, still pose a significant challenge for biomedical applications, such as the management of wound and bone infections. This investigation aimed to prepare and characterize hydroxyapatite–alginate (HAp/Alg) composites from bamboo shell waste at several synthesis pHs (7–10) and to study their potential as clindamycin-loaded antibacterial drug delivery systems. XRD results showed that hydroxyapatite was the main crystalline phase in all samples, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of both hydroxyapatite and alginate in the composite. As a result, the smallest crystallite size of HAp/Alg-10 (21.25 nm) among the composites that were investigated was considered for an in-depth characterization. The average particle size of the sub-micron particles observed through SEM analysis was around 669 nm, while elemental analysis using EDS revealed that Ca, P, O, and C were the major elemental constituents, along with a Ca/P atomic ratio of 2.15. Release profile characteristics (for clindamycin-loaded HAp/Alg composite) showed an initial burst release followed by a slower sustained-release stage, collecting to 69% cumulative release after 8 h. Antibacterial tests indicated that S. aureus-biotic treatment produced inhibition zones of 7 mm and E. coli zone diameters of 4 mm (>1–2 mm for cells not treated with biotics from the unloaded HAp/Alg composite). These outcomes also imply that clindamycin was efficiently carried on the composite matrix and released in a sustained manner. In conclusion, the bamboo shell-derived HAp/Alg composite produced at pH 10 was a potential candidate for localized antibacterial drug delivery systems in biomedical applications
Wulandari Wulandari, N. Jamarun, D. V. Wellia et al.· Baghdad Science Journal· 0 citations
Aim.
Development and experimental characterization of a bioactive composite based on polylactic acid, modified with hydroxyapatite and gentamicin, for implant applications.
Materials and methods.
PLA-based composites were prepared by solution mixing followed by hot pressing, with variation of the hydroxyapatite content (0 40 wt. %). The microstructure and distribution of the inorganic filler were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Mechanical properties were evaluated by three-point bending tests with determination of flexural strength and Young’s modulus in accordance with ISO 178:2019. Antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro by the agar diffusion method against standard test strains of
Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
and
Candida albicans.
Results and discussion.
The developed composite fabrication approach was shown to provide a homogeneous microstructure with a dispersed distribution of hydroxyapatite within the polymer matrix without pronounced macro-agglomeration. An increase in hydroxyapatite content resulted in a systematic decrease in flexural strength accompanied by a moderate increase in Young’s modulus, reflecting the trade-off between stiffness and resistance to bending deformations characteristic of particulate-filled polymer systems. Gentamicin-containing composites exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Conclusions.
The obtained results confirm the potential of PLA-based composites modified with hydroxyapatite and gentamicin as functional biodegradable materials for implant applications in regions with moderate mechanical loading, combining mechanical support, bioactivity, and local antimicrobial protection.
A. Khrustaleva, A. Yedrissov, D. Khrustalev et al.· Medicine and ecology· 0 citations