Fig. 4
A Assessing mineralization and calcified extracellular matrix using Alizarin Red staining revealed that the mineralization rate was more evident in Sr-crosslinked Alg-nHA-Col microspheres related to other groups. B ALP staining indicated typical purple spots in Sr2+-contained microspheres compared to the other groups (scale bars = 100 µm) and C quantification of the ALP activity on days 7, 14, and 21. D H&E staining and E) the mean number of MG-63 cells per section of Alg-nHA-Col (SrCl2) microspheres was more compared to the Alg-nHA-Col (CaCl2) and Alg-nHA-Col (BaCl2) groups (p < 0.00001). F) Van Kossa staining revealed the osteogenic capacity of Alg-nHA-Col (SrCl2) microspheres to induce calcium deposition. G-I) Monitoring antioxidant capacity of encapsulated MG-63 cells Glutathione peroxidase (GPx; G; n = 3), Superoxide dismutase (SOD; H; n = 3), and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC; I; n = 3) 21 days after cell encapsulation process. * p < .05; ** p<0.01; *** p < 0.0001; and **** p < 0.00001