Dual-Functional Gel-Based Delivery of Chitosan-Coated Gold Nanoparticles for Accelerated Bone Healing in Defect...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Effective management of bone defects is a significant clinical challenge.
• Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show potential in regenerative medicine for modulating cellular activity.
• Chitosan (CS), a biopolymer, possesses osteoinductive properties beneficial for bone repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and characterize AuNPs and chitosan-coated gold nanoparticles (CS-AuNPs).
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties of CS-AuNP gel preparations.
• To assess the therapeutic potential of CS-AuNPs in a rat tibial bone defect model.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of AuNPs and CS-AuNPs using techniques like FTIR and XRD.
• Incorporation of nanoparticles into gel formulations and assessment of gel properties (strength, swelling, viscosity, pH).
• In vivo evaluation in a rat tibial bone defect model using histological, radiographic, immunohistochemical, and RT-qPCR analyses.

Main Results:

• CS-AuNP gel formulations demonstrated significantly improved bone regeneration compared to uncoated AuNPs.
• Histological and radiographic analyses showed increased bone volume and enhanced healing.
• Immunohistochemistry revealed increased VEGF expression, and RT-qPCR indicated upregulated osteogenic markers.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating CS-AuNPs into gel formulations is a promising strategy for enhancing bone healing.
• The CS-coated system exhibits superior performance, highlighting its potential as a localized therapy for bone defects.