Injectable scaffolds for bone regeneration

Langmuir. 2014 Nov 4;30(43):12977-85. doi: 10.1021/la503057w. Epub 2014 Oct 21.

Abstract

Clinical treatments of significant bone defects involve invasive procedures such as the application of auto- and allografts. These procedures present many limitations including the potential for infection and rejection. There is therefore a need to develop novel therapeutic strategies able to exploit the natural regenerative potential of bone and that can be delivered in a less invasive manner. Among the materials studied for the development of novel scaffolds, stimuli-responsive gels containing hydroxyapatite and carbon nanotubes as nanofillers have generated great interest. In the present work, chitosan gels containing chitosan grafted CNTs and chitosan-hydroxyapatite complex have been formed by cross-linking with glycerol phosphate. The addition of the nanofillers afforded hydrogels with a faster sol/gel transition at 37 °C and enhanced mechanical properties. The thermosensitive composite gels also showed a good bioactivity profile associated with potential for the prolonged delivery of protein drugs. The inclusion of chemically cross-linked CNTs and HA in thermosensitive gels afforded injectable composite materials with enhanced properties, including reduction of gelation time, improved mechanical properties, good bioactivity, and prolonged drug release.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology*
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Carboxylic Acids / chemistry
  • Cattle
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Drug Liberation
  • Durapatite / chemistry
  • Freeze Drying
  • Injections
  • Mechanical Phenomena
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Chitosan
  • Durapatite