Graphene and its derivatives have good physical and chemical properties and biological properties, which can promote stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, and it has antibacterial properties and drug release property. Therefore, it has broad application prospects in the field of orthopedic biomaterials. This paper mainly introduces the research progress of graphene nanocomposite materials applied in the aspects of bone tissue engineering scaffold, bone repair, bone graft materials, etc. in order to provide desirable information for the future application basis and clinical research.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effect of glucosamine-hydrochloride (Glu/Ch) in protecting and repairing the cartilage in blood-induced joint damage (BJD) in vivo. MethodsThirty-two adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8):high-dose Glu/Ch treated group (group A), low-dose Glu/Ch treated group (group B), positive control group (group C), and negative control group (group D). A joint bleeding model was established by blood injection into articular cavity in groups A, B, and C. Glu/Ch was given by gavage in groups A (250 mg/kg) and B (21.5 mg/kg) once a day for 8 weeks, and the same dosage of saline was given in groups C and D. The serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), serum chondroitin sulfate 846(CS846), and urinary C-terminal telopepide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were measured at 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks after modeling. The expressions of cytokines such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in synovial fluid were analyzed by ELISA at 8 weeks after modeling. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP-13) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Alcian blue staining and Safranin-O staining were performed to calculate the percentage of the positive staining areas. The proteoglycan content was detected by semi-quantitative analysis in the articular cartilage. ResultsThe COMP concentration was significantly higher in groups A, B, and C than group D, and in groups B and C than group A at 3 days after modeling (P<0.05); no significant difference was found among groups A, B, and D at 7 days (P>0.05), and it was significantly lower in groups A, B, and D than group C (P<0.05); there was no significant difference among 4 groups after 2 and 8 weeks (P>0.05). Difference in CS846 concentration had no significance among 4 groups at each time point (P>0.05). The CTX-II concentration of groups A, B, and C was significantly higher than that of group D at each time point (P<0.05); it was significantly lower in group A than groups B and C at 7 days, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks (P<0.05). The TNF-α concentration of groups A and B was significantly higher than group D, and was significantly lower than group C at 8 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between groups A and B (P>0.05). The IL-1β concentration was significantly higher in group C than the other groups (P<0.05), and in group B than groups A and D (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and D (P>0.05). The MMP-13 expression was significantly higher in group C than groups A, B, and D (P<0.05), in groups A and B than group D (P<0.05). A significant decrease in the area stained with Alcian blue and Safranin-O was observed in group C. There were significant differences in the percentage of the positive stained areas of Alcian blue and Safranin-O among 4 groups (P<0.05). The relative quantities of proteoglycan from small to large in order was groups C, B, A, and D, respectively, showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionThe metabolism disorder of cartilage matrix and synovium inflammatory reaction can be observed in rat joint bleeding model. Glu/Ch has certain protective effect on the cartilage after BJD by down-regulating IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-13, as well as increasing proteoglycan content in the cartilage.