Polymers

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9 pages, 1861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Ergothioneine, Hercynine, and Histidine on Oxidative Degradation of Hyaluronan and Wound Healing

by Katarina Valachova, Karol Svik, Csaba Biro, Maurice N. Collins, Rastislav Jurcik, Lubomir Ondruska and Ladislav Soltes

Polymers 2021, 13(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010095 - 29 Dec 2020

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 4953

Abstract

A high-molecular weight hyaluronan is oxidatively degraded by Cu(II) ions and ascorbate—the so called Weissberger biogenic oxidative system—which is one of the most potent generators of reactive oxygen species, namely ^•OH radicals. Ergothioneine, hercynine, or histidine were loaded into chitosan/hyaluronan composite membranes [...] Read more.

A high-molecular weight hyaluronan is oxidatively degraded by Cu(II) ions and ascorbate—the so called Weissberger biogenic oxidative system—which is one of the most potent generators of reactive oxygen species, namely ^•OH radicals. Ergothioneine, hercynine, or histidine were loaded into chitosan/hyaluronan composite membranes to examine their effect on skin wound healing in ischemic rabbits. We also explored the ability of ergothioneine, hercynine, or histidine to inhibit hyaluronan degradation. Rotational viscometry showed that ergothioneine decreased the degree of hyaluronan radical degradation in a dose-dependent manner. While histidine was shown to be potent in scavenging ^•OH radicals, however, hercynine was ineffective. In vivo results showed that the addition of each investigated agent to chitosan/hyaluronan membranes contributed to a more potent treatment of ischemic skin wounds in rabbits compared to untreated animals and animals treated only with chitosan/hyaluronan membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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18 pages, 3097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yerba Mate Extract in Microfibrillated Cellulose and Corn Starch Films as a Potential Wound Healing Bandage

by Meysam Aliabadi, Bor Shin Chee, Mailson Matos, Yvonne J. Cortese, Michael J. D. Nugent, Tielidy A. M. de Lima, Washington L. E. Magalhães and Gabriel Goetten de Lima

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122807 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3338

Abstract

Microfibrillated cellulose films have been gathering considerable attention due to their high mechanical properties and cheap cost. Additionally, it is possible to include compounds within the fibrillated structure in order to confer desirable properties. Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil, yerba mate leaf extract has [...] Read more.

Microfibrillated cellulose films have been gathering considerable attention due to their high mechanical properties and cheap cost. Additionally, it is possible to include compounds within the fibrillated structure in order to confer desirable properties. Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil, yerba mate leaf extract has been reported to possess a high quantity of caffeoylquinic acids that may be beneficial for other applications instead of its conventional use as a hot beverage. Therefore, we investigate the effect of blending yerba mate extract during and after defibrillation of Eucalyptus sp. bleached kraft paper by ultrafine grinding. Blending the extract during defibrillation increased the mechanical and thermal properties, besides being able to use the whole extract. Afterwards, this material was also investigated with high content loadings of starch and glycerine. The results present that yerba mate extract increases film resistance, and the defibrillated cellulose is able to protect the bioactive compounds from the extract. Additionally, the films present antibacterial activity against two known pathogens S. aureus and E. coli, with high antioxidant activity and increased cell proliferation. This was attributed to the bioactive compounds that presented faster in vitro wound healing, suggesting that microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) films containing extract of yerba mate can be a potential alternative as wound healing bandages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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8 pages, 1689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Bioactivity of Micropatterned Hydroxyapatite Embedded Poly(L-lactic) Acid for a Load-Bearing Implant

by Sae-Mi Kim, In-Gu Kang, Kwang-Hee Cheon, Tae-Sik Jang, Hyoun-Ee Kim, Hyun-Do Jung and Min-Ho Kang

Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2390; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102390 - 17 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2545

Abstract

Poly(L-lactic) acid (PLLA) is among the most promising polymers for bone fixation, repair, and tissue engineering due to its biodegradability and relatively good mechanical strength. Despite these beneficial characteristics, its poor bioactivity often requires incorporation of bioactive ceramic materials. A bioresorbable composite made [...] Read more.

Poly(L-lactic) acid (PLLA) is among the most promising polymers for bone fixation, repair, and tissue engineering due to its biodegradability and relatively good mechanical strength. Despite these beneficial characteristics, its poor bioactivity often requires incorporation of bioactive ceramic materials. A bioresorbable composite made of PLLA and hydroxyapatite (HA) may improve biocompatibility but typically causes deterioration in mechanical properties, and bioactive coatings inevitably carry a risk of coating delamination. Therefore, in this study, we embedded micropatterned HA on the surface of PLLA to improve bioactivity while eliminating the risk of HA delamination. An HA pattern was successfully embedded in a PLLA matrix without degeneration of the matrix’s mechanical properties, thanks to a transfer technique involving conversion of Mg to HA. Furthermore, patterned HA/PLLA’s biological response outperformed that of pure PLLA. These results confirm patterned HA/PLLA as a candidate for wide acceptance in biodegradable load-bearing implant applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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19 pages, 5123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigations on the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber/Sisal Fiber/Chitosan Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Sandwich Composite Scaffolds for Bone Fracture Fixation Applications

by Soundhar Arumugam, Jayakrishna Kandasamy, Ain Umaira Md Shah, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, Syafiqah Nur Azrie Safri, Mohd Shukry Abdul Majid, Adi Azriff Basri and Faizal Mustapha

Polymers 2020, 12(7), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12071501 - 6 Jul 2020

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 5170

Abstract

This study aims to explore the mechanical properties of hybrid glass fiber (GF)/sisal fiber (SF)/chitosan (CTS) composite material for orthopedic long bone plate applications. The GF/SF/CTS hybrid composite possesses a unique sandwich structure and comprises GF/CTS/epoxy as the external layers and SF/CTS/epoxy as [...] Read more.

This study aims to explore the mechanical properties of hybrid glass fiber (GF)/sisal fiber (SF)/chitosan (CTS) composite material for orthopedic long bone plate applications. The GF/SF/CTS hybrid composite possesses a unique sandwich structure and comprises GF/CTS/epoxy as the external layers and SF/CTS/epoxy as the inner layers. The composite plate resembles the human bone structure (spongy internal cancellous matrix and rigid external cortical). The mechanical properties of the prepared hybrid sandwich composites samples were evaluated using tensile, flexural, micro hardness, and compression tests. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were studied to analyze the failure mechanism of these composite samples. Besides, contact angle (CA) and water absorption tests were conducted using the sessile drop method to examine the wettability properties of the SF/CTS/epoxy and GF/SF/CTS/epoxy composites. Additionally, the porosity of the GF/SF/CTS composite scaffold samples were determined by using the ethanol infiltration method. The mechanical test results show that the GF/SF/CTS hybrid composites exhibit the bending strength of 343 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 146 MPa, and compressive strength of 380 MPa with higher Young’s modulus in the bending tests (21.56 GPa) compared to the tensile (6646 MPa) and compressive modulus (2046 MPa). Wettability study results reveal that the GF/SF/CTS composite scaffolds were hydrophobic (CA = 92.41° ± 1.71°) with less water absorption of 3.436% compared to the SF/CTS composites (6.953%). The SF/CTS composites show a hydrophilic character (CA = 54.28° ± 3.06°). The experimental tests prove that the GF/SF/CTS hybrid composite can be used for orthopedic bone fracture plate applications in future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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13 pages, 2543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Two-Step Blending in the Properties of Starch/Chitin/Polylactic Acid Biodegradable Composites for Biomedical Applications

by Niyi Gideon Olaiya, Arif Nuryawan, Peter Kayode Oke, H. P. S. Abdul Khalil, Samsul Rizal, P. B. Mogaji, E. R. Sadiku, S. R. Suprakas, Peter Kayode Farayibi, Vincent Ojijo and M. T. Paridah

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030592 - 5 Mar 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4655

Abstract

The current research trend for excellent miscibility in polymer mixing is the use of plasticizers. The use of most plasticizers usually has some negative effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite and can sometimes make it toxic, which makes such polymers [...] Read more.

The current research trend for excellent miscibility in polymer mixing is the use of plasticizers. The use of most plasticizers usually has some negative effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite and can sometimes make it toxic, which makes such polymers unsuitable for biomedical applications. This research focuses on the improvement of the miscibility of polymer composites using two-step mixing with a rheomixer and a mix extruder. Polylactic acid (PLA), chitin, and starch were produced after two-step mixing, using a compression molding method with decreasing composition variation (between 8% to 2%) of chitin and increasing starch content. A dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to study the mechanical behavior of the composite at various temperatures. The tensile strength, yield, elastic modulus, impact, morphology, and compatibility properties were also studied. The DMA results showed a glass transition temperature range of 50 °C to 100 °C for all samples, with a distinct peak value for the loss modulus and factor. The single distinct peak value meant the polymer blend was compatible. The storage and loss modulus increased with an increase in blending, while the loss factor decreased, indicating excellent compatibility and miscibility of the composite components. The mechanical properties of the samples improved compared to neat PLA. Small voids and immiscibility were noticed in the scanning electron microscopy images, and this was corroborated by X-ray diffraction graphs that showed an improvement in the crystalline nature of PLA with starch. Bioabsorption and toxicity tests showed compatibility with the rat system, which is similar to the human system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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10 pages, 8343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Photoinduced Single Cell Detachment from Gold Nanoparticle-Embedded Collagen Gels with Low Denaturation Temperature

by Chie Kojima, Misaki Nishio, Yusuke Nakajima, Takeshi Kawano, Kenji Takatsuka and Akikazu Matsumoto

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010213 - 15 Jan 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3978

Abstract

Cell Separation is important in various biomedical fields. We have prepared gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-embedded collagen gels as a visible-light-responsive cell scaffold in which photoinduced single cell detachment occurs through local thermal denaturation of the collagen gel via the photothermal effect of AuNP. Physicochemical [...] Read more.

Cell Separation is important in various biomedical fields. We have prepared gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-embedded collagen gels as a visible-light-responsive cell scaffold in which photoinduced single cell detachment occurs through local thermal denaturation of the collagen gel via the photothermal effect of AuNP. Physicochemical properties of collagen materials depend on the origin of the collagen and the presence of telopeptides. In this study, we prepared various AuNP-embedded collagen gels by using different collagen materials with and without the telopeptides to compare their thermal denaturation properties and photoinduced single cell detachment behaviors. Cellmatrix type I-C without telopeptides exhibited a lower denaturation temperature than Cellmatrix type I-A and Atelocell IAC, as examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, rheological analysis, and sol–gel transition observation. Three-dimensional (3D) laser microscopic imaging revealed that collagen fibers shrank in Cellmatrix type I-A upon heating, but collagen fibers disappeared in Cellmatrix type I-C upon heating. Cells cultured on the Cellmatrix type I-C-based AuNP-embedded collagen gel detached with shorter photoirradiation than on the Cellmatrix type I-A-based AuNP-embedded collagen gel, suggesting that collagen gels without telopeptides are suitable for a photoinduced single cell detachment system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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10 pages, 1683 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Design of Controlled Release System for Paracetamol Based on Modified Lignin

by Mahboubeh Pishnamazi, Hamid Hafizi, Saeed Shirazian, Mario Culebras, Gavin M. Walker and Maurice N. Collins

Polymers 2019, 11(6), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11061059 - 18 Jun 2019

Cited by 82 | Viewed by 8215

Abstract

The influence of lignin modification on drug release and pH-dependent releasing behavior of oral solid dosage forms was investigated using three different formulations. The first formulation contains microcrystalline cellulose (MCC 101) as the excipient and paracetamol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The [...] Read more.

The influence of lignin modification on drug release and pH-dependent releasing behavior of oral solid dosage forms was investigated using three different formulations. The first formulation contains microcrystalline cellulose (MCC 101) as the excipient and paracetamol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The second formulation includes Alcell lignin and MCC 101 as the excipient and paracetamol, and the third formulation consists of carboxylated Alcell lignin, MCC 101 and paracetamol. Direct compaction was carried out in order to prepare the tablets. Lignin can be readily chemically modified due to the existence of different functional groups in its structure. The focus of this investigation is on lignin carboxylation and its influence on paracetamol control release behavior at varying pH. Results suggest that carboxylated lignin tablets had the highest drug release, which is linked to their faster disintegration and lower tablet hardness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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Review

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30 pages, 11710 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Advances in 3D Bioprinting Technology and Its Applications for Tissue Engineering

by JunJie Yu, Su A Park, Wan Doo Kim, Taeho Ha, Yuan-Zhu Xin, JunHee Lee and Donghyun Lee

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2958; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122958 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 10926

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has emerged as a powerful biofabrication platform for tissue engineering because of its ability to engineer living cells and biomaterial-based 3D objects. Over the last few decades, droplet-based, extrusion-based, and laser-assisted bioprinters have been developed to fulfill certain requirements [...] Read more.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has emerged as a powerful biofabrication platform for tissue engineering because of its ability to engineer living cells and biomaterial-based 3D objects. Over the last few decades, droplet-based, extrusion-based, and laser-assisted bioprinters have been developed to fulfill certain requirements in terms of resolution, cell viability, cell density, etc. Simultaneously, various bio-inks based on natural–synthetic biomaterials have been developed and applied for successful tissue regeneration. To engineer more realistic artificial tissues/organs, mixtures of bio-inks with various recipes have also been developed. Taken together, this review describes the fundamental characteristics of the existing bioprinters and bio-inks that have been currently developed, followed by their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, various tissue engineering applications using 3D bioprinting are briefly introduced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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21 pages, 419 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Pharmacologic Application Potentials of Sulfated Polysaccharide from Marine Algae

by Joanne Katherine Talens Manlusoc, Chieh-Lun Hsieh, Cheng-Yang Hsieh, Ellen San Nicolas Salac, Ya-Ting Lee and Po-Wei Tsai

Polymers 2019, 11(7), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11071163 - 8 Jul 2019

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 7167

Abstract

With the advent of exploration in finding new sources for treating different diseases, one possible natural source is from marine algae. Having an array of potential benefits, researchers are interested in the components which comprise one of these activities. This can lead to [...] Read more.

With the advent of exploration in finding new sources for treating different diseases, one possible natural source is from marine algae. Having an array of potential benefits, researchers are interested in the components which comprise one of these activities. This can lead to the isolation of active compounds with biological activities, such as antioxidation of free radicals, anti-inflammation, antiproliferation of cancer cells, and anticoagulant to name a few. One of the compounds that are isolated from marine algae are sulfated polysaccharides (SPs). SPs are complex heterogenous natural polymers with an abundance found in different species of marine algae. Marine algae are known to be one of the most important sources of SPs, and depending on the species, its chemical structure varies. This variety has important physical and chemical components and functions which has gained the attention of researchers as this contributes to the many facets of its pharmacologic activity. In this review, recent pharmacologic application potentials and updates on the use of SPs from marine algae are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biomedical Engineering)

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