Gelatin methacryloyl
(GelMA) hydrogel
has adjustable physicochemical properties and a three-dimensional
network structure for cell growth and hence a hot issue in the field
of tissue engineering. However, its poor mechanical properties limit
the application in the scaffold, especially as a bone scaffold. To
date, many research studies have been carried out by adding some additives
into GelMA to construct GelMA-based composites to improve the mechanical
properties. However, there is a controversy as to whether the additives
can improve the mechanical properties of GelMA. Herein, meta-analysis
was used to evaluate the influence of the additives on the mechanical
properties of GelMA-based composites, which can provide reference
for the further enhancement of mechanical properties of GelMA. In
this study, meta-analysis was adopted to investigate the influence
of additives on the mechanical properties of GelMA composites; composites
with different concentrations of GelMA, that is, ≥10% (w/v),
5–10% (w/v), and ≤5% (w/v) were found in 23 literatures
and heterogeneity could be found among these references. Accordingly,
it is found that additives can improve the mechanical properties in
each concentration.