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Bioactive Electrode System With External Connectivity for Electrically Augmented Bone Regeneration
Lijuan Wang1, Shuang Deng2, Jiexiang Zhan1
1College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|June 29, 2026
Summary
This study developed a bioactive electrode scaffold that integrates electrical stimulation with a pro-osteogenic microenvironment to enhance bone regeneration. The novel system significantly increased bone volume in a rat model, offering a promising therapy for bone defects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Bioelectricity
Background:
- Electrical stimulation (ES) shows potential for bone regeneration by mimicking bioelectric cues.
- Current ES delivery systems face challenges in maintaining stable electrical connections and creating optimal osteogenic environments for in vivo applications.
- Effective ES delivery for bone defects requires systems that integrate controlled electrical signaling with a supportive microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioactive electrode system that combines controlled electrical stimulation with an osteogenic microenvironment for enhanced bone regeneration.
- To evaluate the osteogenic and angiogenic potential of the developed scaffold in vitro.
- To assess the efficacy of the bioactive electrode system in promoting bone regeneration in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a porous conductive scaffold using a freeze-drying method from gelatin, PEDOT:PSS, and strontium-doped hydroxyapatite, embedded with silver filaments.
- In vitro evaluation of scaffold biocompatibility, osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with and without ES.
- In vivo assessment of the bioactive system's efficacy in a rat cranial defect model.
Main Results:
- The fabricated scaffold exhibited appropriate porosity, electrical conductivity, and ion release properties.
- In vitro studies confirmed scaffold biocompatibility and its ability to promote BMSC osteogenesis and HUVEC angiogenesis, especially with ES.
- In vivo implantation in a rat cranial defect model resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in bone volume/total volume at 12 weeks compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The developed bioactive electrode system effectively integrates electrical signal transmission and a pro-osteogenic microenvironment.
- This system demonstrates significant potential for enhancing bone regeneration in vivo.
- The approach offers a promising strategy for treating bone defects using electrically augmented therapies.
