Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1226749 Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 2013 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

ProjectAluminum (Al) is an increasing problem in biomedicine since it can interact with phosphates. Bone is one of the preferential target tissues of Al deposition: Al interacts with mineralization and/or bone cell activities. We searched the influence of Al deposition in hydroxyapatite developed on a biomimetic polymer (carboxymethylated poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate)) which mimics bone mineralization in the absence of cells.ProceduresPellets of polymer were incubated for 5 days in a synthetic body fluid (SBF) to induce mineralization, then 21 days in SBF containing 20, 40 and 60 μg/L Al3+. Other pellets were incubated in SBF containing commercial Al foil (33 mg/vial) either in 1, 2 or 6 pieces. The mineral deposits were dissolved in HCl and Ca2+, PO43− and Al3+ content was measured. Hydroxyapatite was characterized by SEM and X energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).ResultsThe amount of Al3+ was dose-dependently increased in Ca/P deposits on the polymer pellets. At high concentration (or with the 6 Al foils) growth of hydroxyapatite calcospherite was inhibited; only calcified plates emerging from the polymer were observed. Pellets incubated with 1 and 2 Al foils exhibited a reduction in calcospherite diameter and an increase in the Al3+/Ca2+ ratio. EDX identified Al in the mineral deposits.ConclusionsIn this acellular model, Al3+ altered the growth of calcospherites at low concentration and inhibited their development at high concentration. In SBF, a release of Al3+ from aluminum foils also inhibited mineralization. This study emphasizes the importance of Al in bone pathology and stresses the question of its release from biomaterials.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Analytical Chemistry
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