In vitro gene expression and preliminary in vivo studies of temperature-dependent titania-graphene nanocomposites for bone replacement applications

摘要

To meet the demand for biomaterials due to increasing bone defects and damage, we sought to synthesize titania-graphene nanocomposites at different sintering temperatures and then optimize them to explore their potential applications in biomaterials. The nanocomposites with higher surface area (212.85 to 233.87 m(2) g(-1)) and mechanical strength ranging from 0.430 to 2.11 GPa were subjected to 1.5 mM simulated body fluid to confirm their bioactivity mechanisms. The non-significant toxic nature of nanocomposites in MG-63 osteoblast cell lines and controlled swelling and degradation rates indicate the suitability of these materials for biomedical applications. Moreover, the obtained percentage of mitochondrial damage, osteocalcin, osteopontin and collagen type I gene expression level in MG-63 cell line confirms that the nanocomposite sintered at 400 degrees C is the more optimal biomimetic material among the prepared nanocomposites. The preliminary in vivo toxicity of the nanocomposite sintered at 400 degrees C in zebrafish (Danio rerio) shows a non-toxic nature. These optimization studies will help further research and optimization of promising biomimetic materials for the repair and reconstruction of natural bone tissue.