Dextran hydrogels incorporated with bioactive glass-ceramic: Nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing effective scaffolds for bone tissue engineering is crucial for regenerating bone defects.
• Bioactive glass ceramics and natural polymers offer potential for creating advanced bone graft substitutes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize dextran (Dex)/bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticle (nBGC) nanocomposite scaffolds.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, bioactivity, and osteogenic potential of these scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated using dextran and varying concentrations of sol-gel derived bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles (0-16 wt%).
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze microstructure and nanoparticle distribution.
• Water uptake, compressive modulus, and bioactivity (apatite formation in simulated body fluid) were assessed.
• Human osteoblast (HOB) proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured to evaluate cellular response.

Main Results:

• Dex/nBGC scaffolds exhibited a porous 3D microstructure with an average pore size of 240 μm.
• Homogeneous distribution of nBGC was observed at low concentrations (2 wt%), with agglomeration at higher concentrations.
• Increased water uptake and reduced compressive modulus were noted at higher nBGC content due to osmotic pressure and agglomeration.
• Scaffolds demonstrated bioactivity via apatite formation and significantly improved HOB proliferation and ALP activity with increasing nBGC content up to 16 wt%.

Conclusions:

• Dex/nBGC nanocomposite scaffolds possess favorable physicochemical properties and demonstrate excellent bioactivity.
• These scaffolds promote osteoblast proliferation and activity, making them promising candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.
• The optimized Dex/nBGC composite hydrogels offer a viable solution for advanced bone regeneration strategies.