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Osteogenic and anti-inflammatory potential of oligochitosan nanoparticles in treating osteomyelitis
Shixiong Zhang1, Guo Chen2, Mohong Wang1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
Abstract:
Osteomyelitis is commonly developed via hematogenous spreading or direct inoculation of bacteria from orthopedics trauma. Pathogens-induced bone destruction impedes the penetration of antibiotics to the infection site, and the severe inflammation further compromises the traditional treatment outcome. In this work, vancomycin-loaded oligochitosan nanoparticles (Van-NPs) with antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant as well as bone regenerative properties are prepared using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a crosslinker, and employed for the treatment of osteomyelitis. Van-NPs exhibit strong interactions with dissociative S. aureus and biofilms due to the positive zeta potential, the additional effect between vancomycin (Van) and oligochitosan (OCS) further contributes to an enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm outcome. The in vitro osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs is facilitated by the antioxidant ability of Van-NPs and the TPP-induced activation of ERK1/2 and p38 signaling pathways. Moreover, the combination of Van-NPs with PLGA-PEG-PLGA gel (Gel/Van-NPs) achieves successful localized treatment of osteomyelitis in terms of enhanced bacteria elimination, inflammatory modulation, and accelerated bone regeneration. Therefore, Gel/Van-NPs may serve as a promising biomaterial for the optimal treatment of osteomyelitis.
Insights
Novel vancomycin-loaded oligochitosan nanoparticles (Van-NPs) show promise for treating osteomyelitis. These nanoparticles possess antibacterial, antibiofilm, and bone regenerative properties, offering an improved therapeutic approach for bone infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, often results from bacterial spread or trauma.
- Bacterial bone destruction and inflammation hinder conventional antibiotic efficacy.
- Current treatments for osteomyelitis face challenges in drug penetration and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop vancomycin-loaded oligochitosan nanoparticles (Van-NPs) for osteomyelitis treatment.
- To evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and bone regenerative properties of Van-NPs.
- To assess the efficacy of Van-NPs combined with a gel carrier for localized osteomyelitis treatment.
Main Methods:
- Vancomycin-loaded oligochitosan nanoparticles (Van-NPs) were prepared using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) crosslinker.
- The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Van-NPs against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated.
- In vitro osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs) and in vivo osteomyelitis treatment using Van-NPs in a PLGA-PEG-PLGA gel were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Van-NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial and antibiofilm effects, enhanced by vancomycin and oligochitosan interactions.
- The nanoparticles exhibited antioxidant properties and promoted osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs via ERK1/2 and p38 signaling pathways.
- Combined Van-NPs with PLGA-PEG-PLGA gel (Gel/Van-NPs) effectively eliminated bacteria, modulated inflammation, and accelerated bone regeneration in osteomyelitis models.
Conclusions:
- Van-NPs possess multifaceted therapeutic properties beneficial for osteomyelitis treatment.
- The combination of Van-NPs with a gel carrier offers a promising localized delivery system for osteomyelitis.
- Gel/Van-NPs represent a potential advanced biomaterial for optimizing osteomyelitis therapy.

