Synthesis and Characterizations of Bioactive Glass Nanoparticle-Incorporated Triblock Copolymeric Injectable Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Recently, injectable hydrogels have attracted much interest in tissue engineering (TE) applications because of their controlled flowability, adaptability, and easy handling properties. This work emphasizes the synthesis and characterizations of bioactive glass (BAG) nanoparticle-reinforced poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (pNVC)-based minimally invasive composite injectable hydrogel suitable for bone regeneration. First, the copolymer was synthesized from a combination of PEG and pNVC through reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and nanocomposite hydrogel constructs were subsequently prepared by conjugating BAG particles at varying loading concentrations. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis confirmed the controlled nature of the polymer. Various physicochemical characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of copolymer and nanocomposite hydrogels that showed good gelling and injectability properties. Our optimal nanocomposite hydrogel formulation showed excellent swelling properties in comparison to the copolymeric hydrogel due to the presence of hydrophilic BAG particles. The bone cell proliferation rate was found to be evidently higher in the nanocomposite hydrogel than in the copolymeric hydrogel. Moreover, the enhanced level of ALP activity and apatite mineralization for the nanocomposite in comparison to that for the copolymeric hydrogel indicates accelerated in vitro osteogenesis. Overall, our study findings indicate BAG particle-conjugated nanocomposite hydrogels can be used as promising grafting materials in orthopedic reconstructive surgeries complementary to conventional bone graft substitutes in cancellous bone defects due to their 3D porous framework, minimal invasiveness, and ability to form any desired shape to match irregular bone defects.

Synthesis of Tamarind Gum and Poly (N‐isopropyl acrylamide)‐based Copolymer through Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Dual‐responsive Release Study

“…[14][15][16] Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) has opened new avenues for diverse advanced molecules with controlled molecular architectures. [20][21][22][23] Because, the main three require-ment are happened during CRP. These are (i) fast exchange between dormant species and growing radicals (ii) a small proportion of chains involved in chain breaking reactions and (iii) fast and quantitative initiation is happened.…”

“…Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) has opened new avenues for diverse advanced molecules with controlled molecular architectures [20–23] . Because, the main three requirement are happened during CRP.…”

Effects of glass–ceramic produced by the sol–gel route in macrophages recruitment and polarization into bone tissue regeneration

“…These techniques aim to enhance biocompatibility and bioactivity for effective bone healing while minimizing the risk of biomaterial implantation failure. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Glass biomaterials are predominantly fabricated using either traditional solidification (BS) or sol-gel processes (BS), involving heating the bioactive glass beyond its crystallization temperature, typically ranging from 610 to 630 C. 18 Crystallization in melt-derived glasses results in a reduction of the parent glass's microstructure and porosity, leading to solidification and subsequent physical stress. 19 Sol-gel methods exhibit a distinct behavior upon liquid contact, with the biomaterial's porous structure absorbing a certain amount of liquid.…”

“…A myriad of processing techniques has been applied to the development of bioactive glasses and related glass‐ceramics. These techniques aim to enhance biocompatibility and bioactivity for effective bone healing while minimizing the risk of biomaterial implantation failure 9–17 . Glass biomaterials are predominantly fabricated using either traditional solidification (BS) or sol–gel processes (BS), involving heating the bioactive glass beyond its crystallization temperature, typically ranging from 610 to 630°C 18 .…”

Advances in injectable hydrogel: Design, functional regulation, and biomedical applications

“…Development of biomaterial with amplifying properties which have desired therapeutic approaches, and efficient drug delivery, has been known to repair injured tissues and treatment of diseases 1–3 . Over the past decades inventions of polymer‐based scaffolds, 4,5 porous bio‐ceramics, 6 biodegradable metallic scaffolds, bioactive glasses, 7 hydrogels, 8 injectable biomaterials, 9,10 and others 11 were the upcoming trend in the biomedical applications. These inventions helped to treat critical‐sized bone defects generally an aftermath of degenerative disease, tumor removal surgery, trauma, and congenital musculoskeletal diseases, which are found to be a frequent orthopedic disorder 12,13 …”