Rod-Shaped Mesoporous Zinc-Containing Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles: Structural, Physico-Chemical, Antioxidant, and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNs) are crucial for tissue regeneration.
• Tailoring BGNs' structure and composition optimizes their application.
• Developing novel BGNs with enhanced therapeutic properties is an ongoing research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize nanorod-shaped mesoporous zinc-containing bioactive glass nanoparticles (ZnRBGNs).
• To evaluate the cytocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and macrophage polarization effects of ZnRBGNs.
• To assess the potential of ZnRBGNs in hard/soft tissue repair and regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of nanorod-shaped mesoporous ZnRBGNs.
• Assessment of ZnRBGNs' nanostructure (shape, size, porosity).
• In vitro evaluation of cytocompatibility, radical-scavenging activity, and macrophage polarization (M1/M2).

Main Results:

• ZnRBGNs exhibited a uniform nanorod shape (≈500 nm length, ≈150 nm width) with mesopores (≈2.4 nm).
• No cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations below 0.5 mg/mL.
• ZnRBGNs demonstrated superior antioxidant and M1-inhibiting effects, promoting M2 macrophage polarization compared to non-zinc BGNs.

Conclusions:

• Zinc doping in bioactive glass nanoparticles enhances antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• ZnRBGNs show promise for hard/soft tissue repair and regeneration.
• The improved bioactivity of ZnRBGNs may be attributed to zinc's contribution to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions.