Injectable Bioactive Antioxidative One-Component Polycitrate Hydrogel with Anti-Inflammatory Effects for...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Chronic inflammation in osteoarthritis (OA) degrades cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), worsening joint damage and inflammation.
• Effective regulation of the OA inflammatory microenvironment is crucial for cartilage protection and OA alleviation.
• Polycitrate-based polymers possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but lack self-polymerization capabilities for hydrogel formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a one-component, multifunctional polycitrate-based (PCCGA) hydrogel for osteoarthritis (OA) alleviation and cartilage protection.
• To investigate the self-polymerization, injectability, adhesion, pore size control, elasticity, self-healing, and photoluminescence properties of the PCCGA hydrogel.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility, biodegradability, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of the PCCGA hydrogel, including its impact on stem cell behavior.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a one-component polycitrate-based (PCCGA) hydrogel through self-polymerization.
• Characterization of hydrogel properties: injectability, adhesion, pore size, elasticity, self-healing, and photoluminescence.
• In vitro assessment of biocompatibility, biodegradability, antioxidant activity (ROS scavenging), and anti-inflammatory effects (cytokine downregulation, stem cell promotion).
• In vivo evaluation in an OA rat model to assess cartilage protection and OA alleviation.

Main Results:

• The PCCGA hydrogel was successfully prepared via self-polymerization, exhibiting injectability, adhesion, tunable pore size, elasticity, self-healing, and photoluminescence.
• The hydrogel demonstrated good biocompatibility, biodegradability, potent antioxidant activity by scavenging ROS, and significant anti-inflammatory effects.
• In vivo studies in an OA rat model showed effective OA alleviation and cartilage protection, evidenced by restored articular surface and ECM levels, and inhibited cartilage resorption and MMP-13.
• The hydrogel promoted stem cell proliferation and migration, contributing to its therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

• The PCCGA hydrogel is a novel, multifunctional bioactive material for effective osteoarthritis (OA) treatment.
• This self-polymerizing hydrogel offers a promising strategy for cartilage protection and OA alleviation by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
• The PCCGA hydrogel exhibits broad application prospects in inflammation-related biomedicine and regenerative therapies.