Simvastatin and Moxifloxacin Co-Delivery via ZIF-8/PDA Coating on PEEK Implants: A Strategy for Combating...

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising orthopedic implant material due to its bone-matched elastic modulus and radiolucency. However, its clinical application is limited by biological inertness and lack of antibacterial activity, which predispose to implant-associated infection (IAI) and poor osseointegration. This study developed a multifunctional coating on sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) via polydopamine (PDA)-mediated co-delivery of simvastatin-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles (SIM@ZIF-8) and moxifloxacin (MOX) to address these limitations.

A time-programmed release coating was fabricated on SPEEK by embedding SIM@ZIF-8 within a PDA layer and surface-loading MOX onto the surface. The coating's physicochemical properties, drug release profiles, biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and osteogenic capacity were evaluated in vitro. Antibacterial efficacy and osseointegration were further assessed in vivo using rat subcutaneous infection and rabbit femoral defect models.

Release profiles revealed that MOX exhibited burst release within 24 h, whereas SIM quickly reached therapeutic concentrations during the initial phase and was slowly released over five weeks, while Zn²⁺ from ZIF-8 was released synchronously with SIM. In vitro antimicrobial assays showed that the synergistic release of MOX and SIM exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, providing sustained inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. The coating also promoted MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation, as indicated by upregulated osteogenic markers (Runx2, OCN, OPN, COL1A1), enhanced matrix mineralization, and increased BMP-2 expression. In rat models, bacterial colonization on the coated surface and residual bacteria in tissues were significantly reduced. In rabbit femoral defects, sustained co-release of SIM and Zn²⁺ accelerated new bone formation and improved osseointegration, confirmed by micro-CT, double fluorescence labeling, and histological analysis.

This study presents a novel bioactive PEEK implant coating integrating antibacterial and osteogenic functions through a MOX/SIM@ZIF-8/PDA system. The strategy effectively combats IAI and enhances osseointegration, offering potential for clinical orthopedic applications.