Amelogenin–chitosan matrix for human enamel regrowth: effects of viscosity and supersaturation degree. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruan, Qichao; Siddiqah, Nadia; Li, Xiaochen; Nutt, Steven; Moradian-Oldak, Janet
• Is Part Of: Connective tissue research. Volume 55:Number 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Connective tissues -- Periodicals; 616.770072
• DOI: 10.3109/03008207.2014.923856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-8207

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>We recently reported an amelogenin-chitosan (CS-AMEL) hydrogel as a promising biomimetic material for future <italic>in situ</italic> human enamel regrowth. To further optimize the necessary conditions for clinical applicability of CS-AMEL hydrogel, herein we studied the effects of viscosity and supersaturation degree on the size and orientation of synthetic crystals by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Raising the hydrogel viscosity by increasing chitosan concentration from 1% to 2% (w/v) improved the orientation of the crystals, while a higher supersaturation (σ(HAp) &gt;10.06, [Ca²⁺] &gt;5 mM) resulted in the formation of random crystals with larger sizes and irregular structures. We conclude that optimal conditions to produce organized enamel-like crystals in a CS-AMEL hydrogel are: 2% (w/v) chitosan, 2.5 mM calcium, and 1.5 mM phosphate (degree of supersaturation = 8.23) and 200 µg/ml of amelogenin.</p> </abstract>