Injectable thermosensitive alginate/β-tricalcium phosphate/aspirin hydrogels for bone augmentation
Xiaoqian Fang1,2, Lei Lei1, Ting Jiang1,3
1Department of Prosthodontics School and Hospital of Stomatology Peking University, Beijing 100081, China.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part B, Applied Biomaterials
|September 10, 2017
Summary
An injectable hydrogel containing aspirin was developed for bone regeneration. This thermo-sensitive alginate/β-tricalcium phosphate hydrogel (TSAH/β-TCP) demonstrated effective aspirin release and promoted bone formation in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Bone defects pose significant clinical challenges requiring effective regenerative strategies.
- Current treatments often involve invasive procedures and may have limited efficacy.
- Developing injectable, biocompatible materials for localized drug delivery is crucial for bone repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare an injectable, thermo-sensitive alginate/β-tricalcium phosphate hydrogel (TSAH/β-TCP) for controlled aspirin release.
- To evaluate the in vitro biological effects of aspirin released from the hydrogel on bone cells.
- To assess the in vivo bone-forming potential of the TSAH/β-TCP/aspirin hydrogel in a rat cranial bone defect model.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of TSAH/β-TCP hydrogel with porous microstructure (86.78% porosity).
- In vitro aspirin release kinetics and assessment of aspirin's effect on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) (proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin, collagen I expression).
- In vivo study involving injection of TSAH/β-TCP/aspirin hydrogel into rat cranial defects, with comparison to TSAH/β-TCP/BMP-2 and TSAH/β-TCP controls, followed by micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemical analysis at 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- TSAH/β-TCP hydrogel exhibited interconnected porous structure and sustained aspirin release profile.
- Low concentrations of released aspirin enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of osteocalcin and collagen I in hMSCs, without affecting proliferation.
- In vivo evaluation showed TSAH/β-TCP/aspirin hydrogel significantly increased mineralized tissue formation and osteocalcin expression, comparable to BMP-2 loaded hydrogel.
Conclusions:
- The injectable TSAH/β-TCP/aspirin hydrogel demonstrates promising potential for bone regeneration.
- Aspirin released from the hydrogel positively influences osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.
- This biomaterial offers a viable strategy for enhancing bone defect repair through localized aspirin delivery.
