Simvastatin-Enriched Macro-Porous Chitosan-Calcium-Aluminate Scaffold for Mineralized Tissue Regeneration

• Published in: Brazilian dental journal Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 385 - 391
• Main Authors: Cassiano, Fernanda Balestrero, Soares, Diana Gabriela, Bordini, Ester Alves Ferreira, Anovazzi, Giovana, Hebling, Josimeri, Costa, Carlos Alberto de Souza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2020
• ISSN: 0103-6440; 1806-4760
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-6440202003252

Abstract The present study evaluated the odontogenic potential of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) exposed to chitosan scaffolds containing calcium aluminate (CHAlCa) associated or not with low doses of simvastatin (SV). Chitosan scaffolds received a suspension of calcium aluminate (AlCa) and were then immersed into solutions containing SV. The following groups were established: chitosan-calcium-aluminate scaffolds (CHAlCa - Control), chitosan calcium-aluminate with 0.5 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV0.5), and chitosan calcium-aluminate with 1.0 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV1.0). The morphology and composition of the scaffolds were evaluated by SEM and EDS, respectively. After 14 days of HDPCs culture on scaffolds, cell viability, adhesion and spread, mineralized matrix deposition as well as gene expression of odontogenic markers were assessed. Calcium aluminate particles were incorporated into the chitosan matrix, which exhibited regular pores homogeneously distributed throughout its structure. The selected SV dosages were biocompatible with HDPCs. Chitosan-calcium-aluminate scaffolds with 1 µM SV induced the odontoblastic phenotype in the HDPCs, which showed enhanced mineralized matrix deposition and up-regulated ALP, Col1A1, and DMP-1 expression. Therefore, one can conclude that the incorporation of calcium aluminate and simvastatin in chitosan scaffolds had a synergistic effect on HDPCs, favoring odontogenic cell differentiation and mineralized matrix deposition. Resumo O presente estudo avaliou o potencial odontogênico de células da polpa dental humana (HDPCs) em contato com scaffolds de quitosana contendo aluminato de cálcio (CHAlCa) associado ou não à baixas dosagens de sinvastatina (SV). Scaffolds de quitosana receberam uma suspensão de aluminato de cálcio e foram imersos em soluções contendo a droga. Foram estabelecidos três grupos experimentais: scaffolds de quitosana e aluminato de cálcio (CHAlCa - controle), scaffolds de quitosana-aluminato de cálcio com 0.5 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV0.5), e quitosana-aluminato de cálcio com 1.0 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV1.0). A morfologia e composição foram avaliados por MEV e EDS, respectivamente. Após 14 dias do cultivo das HDPCs sobre os scaffolds, foram avaliados a viabilidade celular, adesão e espalhamento, deposição de matriz mineralizada e expressão gênica de marcadores odontogênicos. Observou-se que as partículas de aluminato de cálcio foram incorporadas à matriz de quitosana, a qual exibiu poros regulares distribuídos por toda sua estrutura. As dosagens selecionadas de sinvastatina foram biocompatíveis com as HDPCs. A concentração de 1 µM de SV induziu intensa expressão de fenótipo odontoblástico pelas HDPCs, demonstrando aumento da deposição de matriz mineralizada e maior expressão de ALP, Col1A1 e DMP-1. Portanto, podemos concluir que a incorporação de aluminato de cálcio e sinvastatina em scaffolds de quitosana apresentou um efeito sinérgico nas HDPCs, favorecendo a diferenciação celular e deposição de matriz mineralizada.