PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Hench

Publications and source records attributed to L Hench.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Gene therapy progress and prospects: in tissue engineering.

Tissue engineering (TE) has existed for several years as an area spanning many disciplines, including medicine and engineering. The use of stem cells as a biological basis for TE coupled with advances in materials science has opened up an entirely new chapter in medicine and holds the promise of major contributions to the repair, replacement and regeneration of damaged tissues and organs. In this article, we review the spectrum of stem cells and scaffolds being investigated for their potential applications in medicine.

Animals↗

Interaction of bioactive glasses with peritoneal macrophages and monocytes in vitro.

Macrophage activation was analyzed following exposure to pure, crystalline alpha-quartz powders, two bioactive gel-glass powders of different compositions, and a melt-derived glass, 45S5 Bioglass. The release of reactive oxygen metabolites (chemiluminescence test), modifications of cell morphology, the amount of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) secreted, and the amount of TNFalpha mRNA expression were evaluated. The 45S5 Bioglass powders elicited the highest chemiluminescence response while the two solgel glasses had a lower response with less of an oxidative burst difference between them. Particulate bioactive glasses are actively ingested by mouse peritoneal macrophages, and only the 58S solgel glass had a moderate toxic effect on the macrophages. Macrophage cell morphology showed increased size and cell spreading, consistent with the high level of cytokine secretion induced by 45S5 Bioglass. The 45S5 Bioglass powders led to an increased release of TNFalpha and expression of TNFalpha mRNA relative to unstimulated and control treated monocytes. Bioactive glasses (and particularly 45S5 Bioglass) that in vivo induce rapid bone growth appear to activate an autocrine-like process in which the response evoked by the material (for example monocyte and macrophage activation with cytokine production) enhances subsequent interactions with cells in contact with the material.

Animals↗

Evaluation of Bioglass/dextran composite as a bone graft substitute.

Allogenic and alloplastic bone graft substitutes serve either as bioinert or bioactive osteoconductors. Bioglass is a bioactive osteoconductor and also shows osteoproductive effects due to its high level of bioactivity. However, the material lacks some cohesiveness when used in augmenting certain bony surfaces, i.e. large or pleomorphic defects. The addition of medium molecular weight dextran modifies the particulate to a putty consistency and improves the handling characteristics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of dextran upon the bioactive properties of Bioglass. Standardized bony defects in the lateral femoral condyles in adult New Zealand white rabbits were filled with one of five material groups: (1) autogenous bone; (2) Bioglass particulate; (3) Bioglass particulate mixed with dextran to a putty-like consistency; (4) a mixture of Bioglass and autogenous bone; (5) a mixture of Bioglass putty with autogenous bone. Postoperative healing was observed after periods of 2 days, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 weeks. Results showed no evidence of toxicity in the dextran-containing materials, and defects in all test groups showed 100% bony ingrowth within 6 weeks. The addition of medium molecular weight dextran did not appear to alter the bioactive properties of Bioglass and had no adverse influence upon the ingrowth of bone into the defect sites.

Animals↗

The implantation of natural tooth form bioglasses in baboons. A preliminary report.

This report describes a 6-month screening study comparing the tissue responses of several bioglass natural tooth implants in adult female baboons. The dental implants were designed to elicit osteogenesis at the interface of the implant and the oral tissues. This is in contrast to those types of implant materials that are merely biologically acceptable. Incisor teeth were extracted, dupplicated in bioglass, returned to the natural sockets, and splinted to the adjacent natural tooth, where they remained splinted for 3 months and then free standing for an additional 3 months. Microscopic evaluation revealed distinct histopathologic characteristics with certain bioglass formulas, such as ankylosis, a pseudofibrous capsule with fibers running parallel to the root surface, or an apparently true periodontal membrane with properly oriented Sharpey's fibers. True cementogenesis was not found.

Animals↗

Potentiation of infections by biomaterials: a comparison of three materials.

Biomaterial implants frequently potentiate infections in patients, yet rarely have we considered the interactions between bacteria and biomaterials responsible for this. There is extensive literature concerning suture materials of various types and a few studies comparing porous and solid implants. We have developed a simple, relatively atraumatic model for comparing rates of infection surrounding a biomaterial implant in paired single animal observations. Statistically significant differences between silicone and fluorocarbon implants and between silicone and bioglass implants are demonstrated. The relatively greater rate of infection with silicones is consistent with a previous clinical study. The further use of this model for evaluation of material-surface interfacial effects is proposed.

Animals↗