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Multifunctional injectable BLGFs/ODEX/COL hydrogel With sustained localized phage release for concurrent
Bhahat Lawlley Zimba1, Xiaohan Yang2, Elingarami Sauli3
1Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - Main Campus, 1037, Luoyu Road, Hubei, Wuhan, China, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England)
|July 21, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel hydrogel biomaterial loaded with bacteriophages to treat infected bone defects. The phage-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated bone regeneration and improved bone healing in rat models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Bone regeneration is impaired in large, infected defects, especially with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Bacteriophages offer a targeted antimicrobial approach against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an injectable hydrogel biomaterial embedded with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophages for treating infected bone defects.
- To assess the efficacy of this composite hydrogel in promoting bone regeneration in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a β-lactoglobulin fibrils/oxidized dextran/collagen (BLGFs/ODEX/COL) hydrogel.
- Isolation, amplification, and characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophages.
- In vivo evaluation in a rat model of infected cortical tibia bone defects, comparing phage-loaded hydrogel with controls (antibiotics, phage-only).
- Assessment using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Micro-computed Tomography (Micro-CT).
Main Results:
- The BLGFs/ODEX/COL hydrogel exhibited a porous structure (>50 µm pores) and confirmed chemical integrity.
- Phage-loaded hydrogel treatment significantly accelerated bone regeneration by day 21 compared to antibiotic and phage-only groups.
- Micro-CT analysis showed superior bone regeneration in the hydrogel group, with increased tissue volume, bone volume percentage, and bone surface density.
Conclusions:
- The injectable phage-loaded hydrogel is a promising biomaterial for treating infected bone defects.
- This synergistic approach combines antimicrobial activity with structural support for enhanced osteogenesis and bone remodeling.
- The developed hydrogel offers a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics for managing multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in bone defects.
