Recent Trends in Hydroxyapatite Supplementation for Osteoregenerative Purposes

Abstract

Bone regeneration has gained attention in the biomedical field, which has led to the development of materials and synthesis methods meant to improve osseointegration and cellular bone activity. The properties of hydroxyapatite, a type of calcium phosphate, have been researched to determine its advantages for bone tissue engineering, particularly its biocompatibility and ability to interact with bone cells. Recently, the advantages of utilizing nanomolecules of hydroxyapatite, combined with various substances, in order to enhance and combine their characteristics, have been reported in the literature. This review will outline the cellular and molecular roles of hydroxypatite, its interactions with bone cells, and its nano-combinations with various ions and natural products and their effects on bone growth, development, and bone repair.

Keywords: bone cells; curcumin; hydroxyapatite; nanoparticles; signaling; synthesis methods.

Figure 1

Simple, non–substituted hydroxyapatite and its structure (left) and possible ionic substitutions in the structure of hydroxyapatite (right). Reproduced with permission from Arcos Daniel et al., 2021 [91].

Figure 2

The roles of zinc in osteoblast growth. Zinc stimulates the gene expression of type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase, and increases the production of growth factors in osteoblasts. Reproduced with permission from Mandal, A.K. et al., 2022 [126].

Figure 3

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) synthesis from the Ca and P sources (A), and strontium–hydroxyapatite (Sr–HAP) synthesis from the Ca, P and Sr sources (B), using the wet chemical method. Reproduced with permission from Jingfeng Li et al., 2018 [155].

Figure 4

(A) Preparation scheme for the Cur-MP/IR820 hybrid hydrogel. (B) Illustration of Cur-MP/IR820 hybrid hydrogel applied in osteosarcoma chemo-photothermal combined therapy and following bone reconstruction. Reproduced with permission from Bowen Tan et al., 2021 [215].