H2-driven autonomous pore-forming hydrogel promotes rapid vascularization for dry socket healing.
Zhuoran Xu1, Rong Yang1, Ilya A Vinnikov1
1Department of Prosthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, China.
Biomaterials
|April 7, 2026
Summary
A novel hydrogel releasing hydrogen (H₂) effectively treats dry socket (DS) by reducing inflammation and promoting blood vessel growth. This dynamic Mg/Gel material enhances healing and bone regeneration after tooth extraction.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Oral Surgery
Background:
- Dry socket (DS) is a common post-tooth extraction complication characterized by delayed healing due to impaired angiogenesis.
- Current treatments for DS face challenges in promoting effective tissue repair and vascularization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dynamic hydrogel loaded with magnesium microspheres (Mg/Gel) for sustained hydrogen (H₂) generation to treat dry socket.
- To investigate the H₂-releasing hydrogel's ability to promote angiogenesis and facilitate alveolar bone regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a dynamic hydrogel incorporating functional magnesium microspheres (Mg/Gel) for autonomous H₂ generation.
- In vitro and in vivo studies utilizing dry socket implantation models to assess inflammation, macrophage polarization, and angiogenesis.
- Evaluation of the hydrogel's bioadhesion to gingiva and alveolar bone for sustained H₂ release.
Main Results:
- Mg/Gel demonstrated sustained and localized H₂ release due to strong bioadhesion, creating a porous structure that supports vascularization.
- Released H₂ attenuated inflammation by modulating macrophage polarization via the NF-κB pathway and promoted angiogenesis by activating NRF2 to stabilize HIF-1α.
- In vivo models showed Mg/Gel mitigated inflammation in early DS healing and enhanced angiogenesis during the proliferative stage, accelerating alveolar bone regeneration.
Conclusions:
- The H₂-releasing Mg/Gel hydrogel offers a transformative strategy for dry socket treatment by spatiotemporally coordinating healing processes.
- This biomaterial effectively promotes angiogenesis and bone regeneration while managing inflammation, addressing key challenges in DS management.
