3D scaffold with effective multidrug sequential release against bacteria biofilm

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Bone infections are challenging complications of surgery and trauma.
• Current treatments struggle with efficacy, drug resistance, and side effects.
• 3D implants offer potential for combined osseous regeneration and local multidrug therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate hierarchical 3D multidrug scaffolds for bone infection treatment.
• To combine local antibiotic delivery with bone regeneration capabilities.
• To achieve controlled, sequential release of multiple antimicrobial agents.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hierarchical 3D scaffolds using nanocomposite bioceramic, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and gelatin-glutaraldehyde (Gel-Glu) via rapid prototyping.
• Loading of three antibiotics—rifampin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin—into distinct scaffold compartments for varied release kinetics.
• In vitro assessment of drug release profiles, antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative biofilms, and biocompatibility with preosteoblast cells.

Main Results:

• Scaffolds demonstrated sequential drug release: rapid rifampin release, followed by sustained vancomycin and levofloxacin release.
• The combined therapy effectively destroyed bacterial biofilms (Staphylococcus, Escherichia) and inhibited bacterial growth.
• Scaffolds exhibited excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility, supporting complete preosteoblast colonization and bone regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Hierarchical 3D multidrug scaffolds provide a promising platform for localized bone infection therapy.
• Sequential antibiotic delivery enhances therapeutic efficacy and combats drug resistance.
• These multifunctional scaffolds represent a significant advancement in treating bone infections and promoting bone healing.