Biodegradable-Glass-Fiber Reinforced Hydrogel Composite with Enhanced Mechanical Performance and Cell Proliferation for Potential Cartilage Repair

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels are promising implants due to the similarity of their low-friction behavior to that of cartilage tissue, and also due to their non-cytotoxicity. However, their poor mechanical resistance and insufficient durability restricts their application in this area. With the development of biodegradable glass fibers (BGF), which show desirable mechanical performance and bioactivity for orthopedic engineering, we designed a novel PVA hydrogel composite reinforced with biodegradable glass fibers, intended for use in artificial cartilage repair with its excellent cytocompatibility and long-term mechanical stability. Using structure characterization and thermal properties analysis, we found hydrogen bonding occurred among PVA molecular networks as well as in the PVA–BGF interface, which explained the increase in crystallinity and glass transition temperature, and was the reason for the improved mechanical performance and better anti-fatigue behavior of the composites in comparison with PVA. The compressive strength and modulus for the PBGF-15 composite reached 3.05 and 3.97 MPa, respectively, equaling the mechanical properties of human articular cartilage. Moreover, the increase in BGF content was found to support the proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro, whilst the PVA hydrogel matrix was able to control the ion concentration by adjusting the ions released from the BGF. Therefore, this novel biodegradable-glass-fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite possesses excellent properties for cartilage repair with potential in medical application.

Nanofiber-induced hierarchically-porous magnesium phosphate bone cements accelerate bone regeneration by inhibiting Notch signaling

“…It has been reported that the addition of fibers reinforces the composite, increasing its mechanical strength [ 40 ]. For example, Zhu et al fabricated a glass fiber-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel composite, which exhibited desirable mechanical performance in cartilage repair [ 41 ]. Cai et al designed a novel calcium phosphate bone cement with enhanced mechanical performance by adding poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers to the solid phase [ 21 ].…”

Cryopreservation of Cell Sheets for Regenerative Therapy: Application of Vitrified Hydrogel Membranes

“…An aqueous PVA solution was subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles to crystallize the molecular chains and form hydrogels [ 72 ]. PVA hydrogels are used as biomaterials in artificial cartilage and joints [ 73 ].…”

Biodegradable Fiber-Reinforced Gluten Biocomposites for Replacement of Fossil-Based Plastics

“…Even if the amount of fiber added was low and had no evident impact on the soil, it is important to consider its presence in the end-of-life scenario of these materials. However, in the same way as biodegradable glass fibers have been developed in recent literature, 35 it is not unlikely that biodegradable carbon fibers will be available in the future. Here, studies addressing a sustainable engineering process report the commercial production of biobased carbon fibers based on cellulose and lignin, 36 which is the first step to designing future biodegradable CF.…”