Objective To estimate the relationship between arterial blood ketone body ratio (AKBR) and liver function and to appraise the feasibility of adding AKBR into liver function estimate. MethodsFrom 1994 to 1998, 44 patients with unresectable liver cancer recieved the combined radiochemoembolization with mixed emulsion of phosphorus32 glass microspheres (32PGMS), chemoagent and glycerine or lipiodol, via intraoperative hepatic artery instillation, hepatic artery ligation and operational arterial embolization (HAL+OAE) or transcatheter hepatic artery embolization (TAE). Preoperative and postoperative function and energy change level of the liver were tested by liver function test and AKBR. CT, SPECT, AFP were used to judge the therapy effect; multivariate statistical analysis methods were used to evaluate the correlation between AKBR and liver function. Spearmen rank correlation analysis was used to evaluate whether there was any relationship between AKBR and liver function test, and to evaluate that there was any relationship between AKBR and survival time. ResultsA negative correlation showed between the level of AKBR and liver function. The correlation coefficient of the three level of AKBR before operation and survival time was 0.4409. Conclusion AKBR can well reflect the degree of liver function.
Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been widely used as bone fillers because of its excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, CPC is also an attractive candidate for the incorporation of drug or microspheres, because the preparing procedure avoids sintering and heating release. This paper summarizes the clinical applications of microspheres incorporated in CPC from the aspects of sustained drug release, accelerated degradation, porous structure and improved mechanical properties. The paper is aimed to analyze the methods and principles of microspheres loaded CPC, and so as to lay a foundation for the further research of improving and manufacturing the CPC with ideal properties.
ObjectiveTo prepare polyurethane (PU) microspheres and evaluate its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility for biomedical applications in vitro. MethodsThe PU microspheres were prepared by self-emulsification procedure at the emulsification rates of 1 000, 2 000, 3 000, and 4 000 r/min. The molecular structure was tested by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and the surface and interior morphology of PU microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PU microspheres prepared at best emulsification rate were selected for the subsequent experiment. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and seeded on the materials, then cell morphology and adhesion status were observed by calcein-acetoxymethylester/pyridine iodide (Calcein-AM/PI) staining. The cells were cultured in the H-DMEM containing 10%FBS with additional 1% phenol (group A), in the extracts of PU prepared according to GB/T 16886.12 standard (group B), and in H-DMEM containing 10%FBS (group C), respectively. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the cell viability. The blood compatibility experiments were used to evaluate the blood compatibility, the PU extracts as experimental group, stroke-physiological saline solution as negative control group, and distilled water as positive control group. The hemolytic rate was calculated. ResultsThe SEM results of PU microspheres at the emulsification rate of 2 000 r/min showed better morphology and size. The microstructure of the PU was rough on the surface and porous inside. The Calcein-AM/PI staining showed that the HUVECs attached to the PU tightly and nearly all cells were stained by green. CCK-8 assays demonstrated that group B and group C presented a significantly higher cell proliferative activity than group A (P<0.05), indicating low cytotoxicity of the PU. The absorbance value was 0.864±0.002 in positive control group and was 0.015±0.001 in negative control group. The hemolysis rate of the PU extracts was 0.39%±0.07% (<5%), indicating no hemolysis. ConclusionThe PU microspheres are successfully prepared by self-emulsification. The scaffold can obviously promote cell attachments and proliferation and shows low cytotoxicity and favorable blood compatibility, so it might be an ideal filler for soft tissue.
With silk fibroin and vancomycin (VCM) as carrier and drug model, respectively, we prepared silk fibroin microspheres (SFM) with different concentration using the water-in-oil emulsion solvent diffusion method. We further developed VCM loaded calcium sulfate hemihydrates (CSH)/SFM artificial bone composites. In this study, surface morphology of the materials was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Structure of the materials was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial activity of the materials was validated with the inhibition zone test. Drug release property of materials was evaluated using ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry. Mechanical property of the materials was tested using computer-controlled electronic universal testing machine. The results showed that silk fibroin concentration had no significant effect on molecular conformation and antibacterial property of the SFM. The average diameter of SFM increased and the release rate decreased gradually as the silk fibroin concentration increased. The release rate decreased and the compressive fracture work increased as the silk fibroin concentration increased when adding SFM to CSH. This composite had partly corrected the disadvantages of CSH including the high brittleness and initial burst release. The research would have a good application foreground in the clinical treatment of infectious bone defect.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7)/poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres on in vitro proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).MethodsBMP-7/PLGA microspheres were fabricated by double emulsion-drying in liquid method. After mixing BMP-7/PLGA microspheres with the chondrogenic differentiation medium, the supernatant was collected on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st day as the releasing solution. The BMSCs were isolated from the bilateral femurs and tibias of 3-5 days old New Zealand rabbits, and the 3rd generation BMSCs were divided into 2 groups: microspheres group and control group. The BMSCs in microspheres group were cultured by 200 μL BMP-7/PLGA microspheres releasing solution in the process of changing liquid every 2-3 days, while in control group were cultured by chondrogenic medium. The cell proliferation (by MTT assay) and the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents (by Alician blue staining) were detected after chondrogenic cultured for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs was observed by safranine O staining, toluidine blue staining, and collagen type Ⅱ immunohistochemistry staining at 21 days.ResultsMTT test showed that BMSCs proliferated rapidly in 2 groups at 1, 3, and 7 days; after 7 days, the proliferation of BMSCs in the control group was slow and the BMSCs in microspheres group continued to proliferate rapidly. There was no significant difference of the absorbance (A) value at 1, 3, and 7 days between 2 groups (P>0.05), but theA value at 14 and 21 days in microspheres group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Compared with control group at 21 days, in microsphere group, almost all nuclei were dyed bright red by safranine O staining, almost all the nuclei appeared metachromatic purple red by toluidine blue staining, and the most nuclei were yellow or brown by immunohistochemical staining of collagen type Ⅱ. Alcian blue staining showed that the content of GAG in 2 groups increased continuously at different time points; after 7 days, the increasing trend of the control group was slow and the microspheres group continued hypersecretion. There was no significant difference of the GAG content at 1, 3, and 7 days between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the GAG content at 14 and 21 days in microspheres group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).ConclusionBMP-7/PLGA microspheres prepared by double emulsion-drying in liquid method in vitro can promote proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit BMSCs.
Curcumin-loaded poly (α-isobutyl cyanoacrylate) microspheres (Cur-HP-β-CD-PiBCA) were prepared by one-step emulsification with α-isobutyl cyanoacrylate as materials, poloxamer 188 as emulsifier, and curcumin complex with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (Cur-HP-β-CD) as drug prepared by kneading method. Effects of emulsifier and drug concentration on microspheres size and distribution, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were investigated in detail. And the curcumin release of drug-loaded microspheres was also studied. Results showed that as the emulsifier concentration increased from 0.01% to 0.07%, particle size of the drug-loaded microspheres decreased while particle size distribution, drug loading and entrapment efficiency increased. The optimized concentration of surfactant was 0.05%. With increasing the concentration of drug from 0.03% to 0.07%, drug loading of Cur-HP-β-CD-PiBCA increased, but encapsulation efficiency decreased. Additionally, the results of drug release experiments revealed that the higher drug loading of Cur-HP-β-CD-PiBCA was, the lower cumulative release percentage was. Drug-loading of cumulative inclusions in HP-β-CD by PiBCA can improve its wettability, and increase the degree of dissolution and bioavailability.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of the chitosan-poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) double-walled microspheres for sustained release of bioactive nerve growth factor (NGF) in vitro.MethodsNGF loaded chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres were prepared by emulsion-ionic method with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as an ionic cross-linker. The double-walled microspheres were cross-linked by different concentrations of TPP [1%, 3%, 10% (W/V)]. NGF loaded PLGA microspheres were also prepared. The outer and inner structures of double-walled microspheres were observed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. The size and distribution of microspheres and fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR) were analyzed. PLGA microspheres with NGF or chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres cross-linked by 1%, 3%, and 10%TPP concentration (set as groups A, B, C, and D respectively) were used to determine the degradation ratio of microspheres in vitro and the sustained release ratio of NGF in microspheres at different time points. The bioactivity of NGF (expressed as the percentage of PC12 cells with positive axonal elongation reaction) in the sustained release solution of chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres without NGF (set as group A1) was compared in groups B, C, and D.ResultsThe chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres showed relative rough and spherical surfaces without aggregation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed PLGA microspheres were evenly uniformly distributed in the chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres. The particle size of microspheres ranged from 18.5 to 42.7 μm. The results of FT-IR analysis showed ionic interaction between amino groups and phosphoric groups of chitosan in double-walled microspheres and TPP. In vitro degradation ratio analysis showed that the degradation ratio of double-walled microspheres in groups B, C, and D appeared faster in contrast to that in group A. In addition, the degradation ratio of double-walled microsphere in groups B, C, and D decreased when the TPP concentration increased. There were significant differences in the degradation ratio of each group (P<0.05). In vitro sustained release ratio of NGF showed that when compared with PLGA microspheres in group A, double-walled microspheres in groups B, C, and D released NGF at a relatively slow rate, and the sustained release ratio decreased with the increase of TPP concentration. Except for 84 days, there was significant difference in the sustained release ratio of NGF between groups B, C, and D (P<0.05). The bioactivity of NGF results showed that the percentage of PC12 cells with positive axonal elongation reaction in groups B, C, and D was significantly higher than that in group A1 (P<0.05). At 7 and 28 days of culture, there was no significant difference between groups B, C, and D (P>0.05); at 56 and 84 days of culture, the percentage of PC12 cells with positive axonal elongation reaction in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between groups C and D (P>0.05).ConclusionNGF loaded chitosan-PLGA double-walled microspheres have a potential clinical application in peripheral nerve regeneration after injury.
There are six important developmental milestones for yttrium 90 microspheres in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These milestones are: ① development of concepts in treatment of HCC; ② development of concepts in internal radiation therapy; ③ from basic, translational and clinical researches to clinical application; ④ internationally recognized indications for palliative treat ment of HCC; ⑤ from palliative to curative treatment of HCC after tumor downstaging with yttrium 90 microspheres using liver resection or liver transplantation; ⑥ non-surgical treatments using yttrium 90 microsphere as curative treatments. The developmental stages of yttrium 90 microsphere in treatment of HCC have undergone a very prolonged period and these stages will continue to evolve. As HCC is prevalent in China, permission of the State Food and Drug Administration to allow yttrium 90 microsphere to be clinically used on HCC patients in China will benefit a lot of patients who were not treatable by other means.
Objective To investigate the preparation and properties of the novel silica (SiO2)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) whiskers porous ceramics scaffold. Methods The HAP whiskers were modified by the SiO2 microspheres using the Stöber method. Three types of SiO2/HAP whiskers were fabricated under different factors (for the No.1 samples, the content of tetraethoxysilane, stirring time, calcination temperature, and soaking time were 10 mL, 12 hours, 560℃, and 0.5 hours, respectively; and in the No.2 samples, those were 15 mL, 24 hours, 650℃, and 2 hours, respectively; while those in the No.3 samples were 20 mL, 48 hours, 750℃, and 4 hours, respectively). The phase and morphology of the self-made HAP whisker and 3 types of SiO2/HAP whiskers were detected by the X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Taken the self-made HAP whisker and 3 types of SiO2/HAP whiskers as raw materials, various porous ceramic materials were prepared using the mechanical foaming method combined with extrusion molding method, and the low-temperature heat treatment. The pore structure of porous ceramics was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Its porosity and pore size distribution were measured. And further the axial compressive strength was measured, and the biodegradability was detected by simulated body fluid. Cell counting kit 8 method was used to conduct cytotoxicity experiments on the extract of porous ceramics. Results The SiO2 microspheres modified HAP whiskers and its porous ceramic materials were prepared successfully, respectively. In the SiO2/HAP whiskers, the amorphous SiO2 microspheres with a diameter of 200 nm, uniform distribution and good adhesion were attached to the surface of the whiskers, and the number of microspheres was controllable. The apparent porosity of the porous ceramic scaffold was about 78%, and its pore structure was composed of neatly arranged longitudinal through-holes and a large number of micro/nano through-holes. Compared with HAP whisker porous ceramic, the axial compressive strength of the SiO2/HAP whisker porous ceramics could reach 1.0 MPa, which increased the strength by nearly 4 times. Among them, the axial compressive strength of the No.2 SiO2/HAP whisker porous ceramic was the highest. The SiO2 microspheres attached to the surface of the whiskers could provide sites for the deposition of apatite. With the content of SiO2 microspheres increased, the deposition rate of apatite accelerated. The cytotoxicity level of the prepared porous ceramics ranged from 0 to 1, without cytotoxicity. Conclusion SiO2/HAP whisker porous ceramics have good biological activity, high porosity, three-dimensional complex pore structure, good axial compressive strength, and no cytotoxicity, which make it a promising scaffold material for bone tissue engineering.