16.

Dirio de Pernambuco PE
Science // Mixture accelerates bone regeneration

A compound of hyaluronic acid and carbon nanotubes, developed by researchers from

UFMG, reduces in half the healing time for fractures and wounds in dental implants
By Flvia Ayer
flaviaayer.df@dabr.com.br

Belo Horizonte - Tiny materials can contribute enormously to the healing process of bone
fractures. Researchers from UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) have developed
a carbon nanotube compound (CNT) a cylindrical structure made of carbon atoms, having a
size equivalent to one billionth of a meter and hyaluronic acid (HY), widely used in aesthetic
treatments, which was able to reduce in half the healing time of bone tissues. This result was
so surprising that the substance, called NTC-HY, has been already patented at the Brazilian
patent office - INPI (Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Intelectual) by the research team, and
tests in humans are expected at a near future. The study has focused in the field of dentistry,
however, new research fronts have showed the efficiency of the method in general
orthopedics and in the treatment of diabetic patients, which suffer from impaired wound
healing capacity.

The work began in 2004, from a research on the use of hyaluronic acid in tooth extraction
healing. Although effective, HY, for being a gel, has proven to be of difficult application in
certain kinds of wounds. In view of this, the next challenge was to give the substance another
form, while maintaining its healing effect. Carbon nanotubes were the key for this task to
success. Nanotube is an inert material, which does not cause any body reaction. There are
works showing that it can be a molecule carrier, explains the coordinator of the study, Prof.
Anderson Jos Ferreira, from the Department of Morphology of the Biological Sciences
Institute (Instituto de Cincias Biolgicas - ICB).

The mixture between hyaluronic acid and the carbon nanotube, made in partnership with
professors from the Physics Department of the Instituto de Cincias Exatas (Icex), resulted in
a dry and rigid powder. This functionalization maintained the physiological qualities, besides
being a more stable material, which can be mixed into creams and gels. Also, it needs no
cooling, and can be more easily sterilized, states Ferreira. Tests in laboratory mice showed
that, as well as the acid alone, the compound accelerates at twice the regeneration time of
the bone tissue. For an individual who would need to stay with his/her arm in plaster for three
months, with NTC-HY, this time would be cut in a half. This brings also an economical
impact, highlights the coordinator.

The following step is to observe the efficiency of the compound also in humans, testing the
substance in individuals which will have some of their teeth extracted. A request is under
evaluation on the Human Research Ethics Comittee from UFMG. Further, at least three
research fronts, unfolding from the first phase of the study, are under development in the
laboratory of the university. Yet in the field of dentistry, the aim is to accelerate the healing in
dental implants. Ferreira explains that patients who underwent prosthesis implants suffer two
times more from injuries in the jaw bone: when extracting the tooth and when placing the
supporting pin for the false tooth. We are trying to insert into the titanium pin a solution of
functionalized carbon nanotube with hyaluronic acid, he says.

Another branch of the study is the development of membranes made from NTC-HY, which
can be absorbed by the body and stimulate jaw bone regeneration, in cases of bone loss
without dental implant. The third branch of research is focused on diabetic patients, a public of
particular attention when it comes to healing. Due to the high blood glucose concentration,
they suffer from reduced tissue healing capacity and are more prone to infections. In this
case, we would be treating a disease, in addition to accelerating a process, states the study
coordinator. The team of researchers is looking for companies which are interested in
developing the product in industrial scale.

Project implementation It is expected that carbon nanotubes, still expensive for use in
industrial scale, become more accessible by the installation of the Nanotube Technology
Center (Centro de Tecnologia em Nanotubos - CTN), located in the Technological Park of
Belo Horizonte, at Engenho Nogueira neighborhood. Headed by UFMG, this is the first project
for manufacturing the material in pre-industrial scale, which will occupy an area of at least 1.2
square miles. Estimated at R$ 30 millions, the project implementation is supported by
Petrobras and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as by the State Secretariat of
Science and Technology, which allocated R$ 500.000,00 for the first stage of the project.

Carbon nanotube: a cylindrical structure formed by a carbon-atom chain. When aligned, a

billion carbon nanotubes equals one meter. Although very small, this particle is highly
resistant and also inert, which does not cause any reaction in the body. It is also very suitable
for conveying substances in many fields, such as energy, electronics, and in the chemical and
petrochemical industry. This characteristic ensures its singular mechanical strength and
electrical and thermal conductivity properties. The addition of 0.5% nanotubes to certain
materials may increase their strength by up to 20-fold.

Sodium hyaluronate (HY): an acid, in the form of a gel, widely used in aesthetic treatments
and able to accelerate the healing process.

NTC-HY: compound generated by the functionalization of carbon nanotube with sodium

hyaluronate. This mixture gives rise to a powder, which is a more stable material than gel.
Said compound facilitates application of the healing agent.
Back