A novel biocomposite scaffold with antibacterial potential and the ability to promote bone repair

Clinical treatment of bone defects caused by trauma, tumor resection and other bone diseases, especially bone defects that can lead to infection, remains a major challenge. Currently, autologous bone implantation is the gold standard for treatment of bone defects, but it is limited by secondary trauma and insufficient autologous material. Moreover, postoperative infection is an important factor affecting bone healing.AcN-RADARADARADARADA-CONH2 (RADA) is a new type of self-assembling peptide(SAP) composed of Arg,Ala,Asp and other amino acids was designed and prepared. The "RADA" self-assembling peptide hydrogels has excellent biological activity and it's completely biodegradable and non-toxic.It is also have been confirmed to promote cell proliferation, wound healing, tissue repair, and drug delivery. To promote bone regeneration and simultaneously prevent bacterial infection, we designed biocomposite scaffolds comprising RADA and calcium phosphate cement (CPC), termed RADA-CPC. The morphological features of the scaffold were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro studies demonstrated that RADA-CPC enhances osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization. In addition, the scaffold was used as a drug delivery system to treat postoperative infections by sustained release of ciprofloxacin (CIP). The RADA-CPC scaffold may have potential application prospects in orthopedics field because of its role in promoting bone repair and as a sustained-release drug carrier to prevent infections.