Biological Thermal Performance of Organic and Inorganic Aerogels as Patches for Photothermal Therapy

Aerogels are materials with unique properties, among which are low density and thermal conductivity. They are also known for their exquisite biocompatibility and biodegradability. All these features make them attractive for biomedical applications, such as their potential use in photothermal therapy...

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Published in:Gels 2022-08, Vol.8 (8), p.485
Main Authors: Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia, Iglesias-Mejuto, Ana, Linhares, Teresa, Coelho, João M. P, Vieira, Pedro, Faísca, Pedro, Catarino, José, Pinto, Pedro, Ferreira, David, Ferreira, Hugo A, Gaspar, Maria Manuela, Durães, Luísa, García-González, Carlos A, Reis, Catarina Pinto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerogels
Biocompatibility
Biodegradability
Biomedical materials
Biopolymers
Chemical properties
Equipment and supplies
Health aspects
Heat
Infrared lasers
Insulators
Lasers
Light
light delimiters
Pectin
pectin aerogels
Phototherapy
Pore size
Porous materials
Radiation
Silica
silica aerogels
Silicon dioxide
Solvents
Testing
Thermal conductivity
Thermal properties
Thermal protection
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Summary:Aerogels are materials with unique properties, among which are low density and thermal conductivity. They are also known for their exquisite biocompatibility and biodegradability. All these features make them attractive for biomedical applications, such as their potential use in photothermal therapy (PTT). This technique is, yet, still associated with undesirable effects on surrounding tissues which emphasizes the need to minimize the exposure of healthy regions. One way to do so relies on the use of materials able to block the radiation and the heat generated. Aerogels might be potentially useful for this purpose by acting as insulators. Silica- and pectin-based aerogels are reported as the best inorganic and organic thermal insulators, respectively; thus, the aim of this work relies on assessing the possibility of using these materials as light and thermal insulators and delimiters for PTT. Silica- and pectin-based aerogels were prepared and fully characterized. The thermal protection efficacy of the aerogels when irradiated with a near-infrared laser was assessed using phantoms and ex vivo grafts. Lastly, safety was assessed in human volunteers. Both types presented good textural properties and safe profiles. Moreover, thermal activation unveils the better performance of silica-based aerogels, confirming the potential of this material for PTT.
ISSN:2310-2861
2310-2861
DOI:10.3390/gels8080485