Synthetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) possess
compositional
and structural similarities to those of bone minerals and play a key
role in bone regenerative medicine. Functionalization of calcium phosphate
biomaterials with Sr,
i
.
e
., bone
extracellular matrix trace element, has been proven to be an effective
biomaterial-based strategy for promoting osteogenesis
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Functionalizing nHAp with Sr
2+
ions or strontium ranelate (SrRAN) can provide favorable bone tissue
regeneration by locally delivering bioactive molecules to the bone
defect microenvironment. Moreover, administering an antiosteoporotic
drug, SrRAN, directly into site-specific bone defects could significantly
reduce the necessary drug dosage and the risk of possible side effects.
Our study evaluated the impact of the Sr source (Sr
2+
ions
and SrRAN) used to functionalize nHAp by wet precipitation on its
in vitro
cellular activities. The systematic comparison
of physicochemical properties,
in vitro
Sr
2+
and Ca
2+
ion release, and their effect on
in
vitro
cellular activities of the developed Sr-functionalized
nHAp was performed. The ion release tests in TRIS-HCl demonstrated
a 21-day slow and continuous release of the Sr
2+
and Ca
2+
ions from both Sr-substituted nHAp and SrRAN-loaded HAp.
Also, SrRAN and Sr
2+
ion release kinetics were evaluated
in DMEM to understand their correlation with
in vitro
cellular effects in the same time frame. Relatively low concentration
(up to 2 wt %) of Sr in the nHAp led to an increase in the alkaline
phosphatase activity in preosteoblasts and expression of collagen
I and osteocalcin in osteoblasts, demonstrating their ability to boost
bone formation.