A Periosteum-Inspired 3D Hydrogel-Bioceramic Composite for Enhanced Bone Regeneration 

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Bioceramics

Background:

• Bone regeneration requires advanced biomaterials that mimic natural tissue properties.
• Injectable hydrogels offer minimally invasive delivery for bone defect repair.
• Bioceramics can enhance the osteoconductivity of hydrogel scaffolds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D injectable hydrogel-bioceramic composite for bone tissue engineering.
• To evaluate the effect of fish scale-derived calcium phosphate (CaP) on hydrogel properties and performance.
• To assess the potential of the composite as a periosteum-mimicking membrane for bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite hydrogel using gelatin-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (Gtn-HPA) and carboxymethyl cellulose-tyramine (CMC-Tyr).
• Incorporation of varying concentrations of fish scale-derived calcium phosphate (CaP).
• Characterization of mechanical properties, drug release kinetics (FITC-dextran), cell proliferation, and in vitro bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF).

Main Results:

• The hydrogel-bioceramic composite exhibited significantly improved elastic modulus compared to the unfilled hydrogel.
• 10 w/v% CaP incorporation resulted in a zero-order release profile for FITC-dextran and enhanced cell proliferation.
• All tested composites promoted calcium phosphate (CaP) mineral nucleation and growth in 1x SBF.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel-bioceramic composite, particularly with 10 w/v% CaP, demonstrates promising properties for bone regeneration.
• The material's ability to enhance cell proliferation and in vitro bioactivity supports its potential application.
• This composite shows potential as a periosteum-mimicking membrane to facilitate bone regeneration effectively.