Basic Potential of Carbon Nanotubes in Tissue Engineering Applications
Figure 2
MWCNTs showed good bone-tissue compatibility, induced little inflammatory reaction, and had little effect on the adjacent bone tissue when implanted into the subperiosteum. The histologic appearance of the subperiosteal skull is shown for mice from (a, b) the sham operation group, where a subperiosteal pocket was made but only vehicle solution was implanted, and (c, d) the MWCNT group at 1 week and 4 weeks after the operation. (a) The periosteum was essentially restored, and the inflammatory reaction was minimal. (b) The periosteum was completely restored. (c)The periosteal tissue showed the same degree of restoration as in the sham operation group. MWCNT particles remained subperiosteal, and the inflammatory reaction was minimal. Macrophages were seen surrounding the MWCNT particles. (d) The periosteal tissue was restored completely and still contained MWCNT particles and macrophages. The inflammatory reactions were decreased compared with those after 1 week. The cortical bone beneath the implant was preserved. Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Scale bars: 20 μm [20].
