Osteoinductive chemically crosslinked hydrogel enables hydroxyapatite formation, enhanced by release of dexamethasone, strontium, and zinc, and exhibits antimicrobial properties
Abstract
(MRSA). The results indicate that hydrogel swelling and changes in pH, temperature, and storage/loss modulus were favourable for the functional hydrogel, which could be injected at the fracture site. Osteoblast growth and hydroxyapatite formation were favoured by lower crosslinker concentrations, possibly influenced by the diffusion of Sr and Zn ions and dexamethasone through the hydrogel, while general cell viability was favoured by higher crosslinker concentrations. A slight antibacterial effect was observed for Sr- and Zn-releasing hydrogels compared to the standard hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel shows suitability as a material to bridge fracture sites while supporting osteoinduction in the presence of hydroxyapatite and osteocalcin and has the ability to prevent fracture-associated infections.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
Hydrogels: synthesis
properties
applications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- RSC Advances
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 21
- Pages
- 18666–18678
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN