pH-Responsive Hydrogel With an Anti-Glycation Agent for Modulating Experimental Periodontitis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Periodontal Research

Background:

• Stimulus-responsive hydrogels offer novel local drug delivery strategies.
• Chitosan-based hydrogels are investigated for their pH-responsive properties.
• N-phenacylthiazolium bromide (PTB) is explored for its ability to cleave advanced glycation end products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a chitosan-based, pH-responsive hydrogel loaded with PTB for periodontitis treatment.
• To assess the drug release profile of PTB from the hydrogel at different pH levels.
• To investigate the therapeutic effects of the PTB-loaded hydrogel on experimental periodontitis in animal models.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with PTB.
• In vitro release studies of PTB across a pH range of 5.5 to 7.4.
• In vivo evaluation in BALB/cJ mice and Sprague-Dawley rats during periodontitis induction and recovery phases, assessing periodontal bone level loss, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen density.

Main Results:

• PTB release was faster at pH 5.5-6.5 and slower at pH 7.4.
• The PTB-loaded hydrogel significantly reduced periodontal bone loss and inflammatory cell infiltration during periodontitis induction.
• Significant reduction in collagen matrix loss and enhanced collagen deposition were observed during the recovery phase.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan-based, pH-responsive hydrogels loaded with PTB are effective in retarding experimental periodontitis initiation.
• These hydrogels facilitate recovery from experimental periodontitis by promoting bone regeneration and collagen deposition.
• The study demonstrates the potential of this novel drug delivery system for periodontal therapy.