INEB RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Heparinized nanohydroxyapatite/collagen granules for controlled release of vancomycin

INEB researchers recently published an article in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Part A, available online on 16 March 2015. The article is entitled "Heparinized nanohydroxyapatite/ collagen granules for controlled release of vancomycin" and is authored by Catarina C. Coelho, Susana R. Sousa and Fernando J. Monteiro.

FIGURE: MC3T3-E1 cells morphology on heparinized nanoHA/collagen granules with vancomycin. Image obtained by SEM, 14 days after cell seeding.

Porous heparinized nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHA)/collagen granules capable of preventing or treating osteomyelitis through a sustainable release of vancomycin and simultaneously inducing bone regeneration were developed. Vancomycin was sustainable released during 360 h being capable to eradicate S. aureus. Moreover, cytotoxicity of the released vancomycin was assessed using osteoblast cultures, and after 14 days of culture in the presence of vancomycin, cells were able to remain viable, increasing their metabolic activity and colonizing the granules. These findings suggest that heparinized nanoHA/collagen granules are a promising material to improve the treatment of osteomyelitis, as they are capable of releasing vancomycin, eliminating the bacteria, and presented morphological and chemical characteristics to induce bone regeneration.