Recent advances of hydrogel‐based biomaterials for intervertebral disc tissue treatment: A literature review

Abstract

Low back pain is an increasingly prevalent symptom mainly associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. It is highly correlated with aging, as the nucleus pulposus (NP) dehydrates and annulus fibrosus fissure formatting, which finally results in the IVD herniation and related clinical symptoms. Hydrogels have been drawing increasing attention as the ideal candidates for IVD degeneration because of their unique properties such as biocompatibility, highly tunable mechanical properties, and especially the water absorption and retention ability resembling the normal NP tissue. Numerous innovative hydrogel polymers have been generated in the most recent years. This review article will first briefly describe the anatomy and pathophysiology of IVDs and current therapies with their limitations. Following that, the article introduces the hydrogel materials in the classification of their origins. Next, it reviews the recent hydrogel polymers explored for IVD regeneration and analyses what efforts have been made to overcome the existing limitations. Finally, the challenges and prospects of hydrogel‐based treatments for IVD tissue are also discussed. We believe that these novel hydrogel‐based strategies may shed light on new possibilities in IVD degeneration disease.

Preservation of Small Extracellular Vesicle in Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogel Through Reduced Particles Aggregation for Therapeutic Applications

“…We observed a change in the rheological properties of the hydrogels, and a change in the in vivo absorption, which is consistent with previous reports. 64 When the GelMA hydrogels were in liquid state, sEV could move freely in the hydrogels and extracellular matrix and will be quickly absorbed by the surrounding tissues. Since absorption rate of the gel is also very fast at same time, the absorption rate of the gel is close to the release of sEV In our study, after 5 seconds of UV-crosslinking we found that the release rate of sEV remained essentially the same as the absorption rate of hydrogels, which is inconsistent with the results of many studies.…”

Smart/stimuli-responsive hydrogels: Cutting-edge platforms for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications

“…The ideal core substitute ought to be inert, hydrophilic, viscoelastic, and space-filling to suit the feature of the natural nucleus. On the other side, for this material to match the surgical approaches, it should likewise be minimally invasive, injectable, and radiopaque [ 406 ].…”

“…They are exceptionally hydrated polymeric structures, conformable, strong, viscoelastic, porous, and generally comprised of water. Processed natural hydrogels have exhibited significant priority to the synthetic ones for being less cytotoxic, cost-effective, fit for diverse applications of tissue engineering, and mediate cell adherence and migration [ 406 ].…”

Intradiscal injection for the management of low back pain

“…With the development of tissue engineering technology, various hydrogels have been made using natural or synthetic materials 91 . Natural hydrogels include hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and fibrin 92 . Generally, these materials are economical and exhibit low levels of cytotoxicity, bioactivity, and bioactive degradation.…”

“… 91 Natural hydrogels include hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and fibrin. 92 Generally, these materials are economical and exhibit low levels of cytotoxicity, bioactivity, and bioactive degradation.…”