Marine-Derived Mineral–Polymer Nanosystem Associated with Increased Mandibular Bone Density and Osteocyte Formation During Growth

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Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of a marine-derived mineral–polymer nanosystem, composed of nanocalcium and nanochitosan and administered systemically during growth, on mandibular bone density and osteocyte formation. Twenty-five growing male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: negative control, calcium-fortified milk, nanocalcium, nanochitosan, and a combined nanosystem. All interventions were administered orally for 30 days at a standardized dose of approximately 58.5 mg/kg body weight/day. Mandibular bone density was assessed using grayscale-based optical density (OD) analysis from standardized digital radiographs, where lower grayscale values correspond to increased radiopacity and higher mineral density. Osteocyte formation was evaluated histologically. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc multiple comparison tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mineral–polymer nanosystem group demonstrated significantly lower OD values (0.47 ± 0.03; p < 0.001), suggesting higher radiopacity and mineralization, and higher osteocyte counts (137.8 ± 15.7; p <0.05) compared with control and single-component groups. Histological observations revealed denser trabecular structures, preserved lacunar integrity, and more organized bone architecture in the mineral–polymer nanosystem group. Within the limitations of this in vivo model, the findings suggest that systemic administration of a marine-derived mineral–polymer nanosystem may be associated with enhanced mandibular bone development during growth. The combined presence of mineral and polymer phases may contribute to improved mineralization and cellular organization. These results support the potential of functional nanosystems as biologically active biomaterial platforms for craniofacial bone modulation during skeletal development.

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