Vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel loaded microarc-oxidized 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V implant for infected bone defects: Reconstruction, anti-infection, and osseointegration

Bioactive Materials, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.07.035 · Published: July 30, 2024

Simple Explanation

Infected bone defects present a significant clinical challenge, often requiring bone reconstruction, infection control, and promotion of bone growth. Traditional treatments have limitations due to a lack of materials that combine anti-infective and osteogenic properties with adequate mechanical strength. This study introduces a novel approach using a 3D-printed titanium alloy implant with a porous structure, modified with a microarc oxidation (MAO) surface to enhance bone integration. This implant is then loaded with a vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel, designed for sustained antibiotic release. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the implant possesses antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and the ability to promote bone formation. The implant effectively repaired infected bone defects in rabbits, showing both anti-infection and osseointegration capabilities.

Study Duration

6 weeks (in vivo)

Participants

18 New Zealand white rabbits

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel, when loaded into the microarc-oxidized 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V implant, exhibits effective antibacterial activity against MRSA both in vitro and in vivo.
2
The modified implant promotes osseointegration and bone regeneration in infected bone defects, leading to significantly higher bone volume fraction (BVF) compared to control groups.
3
Rabbits treated with the vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel-loaded implant showed reduced signs of osteomyelitis, lower peripheral blood white blood cell counts, and improved overall physical condition compared to other treatment groups.

Research Summary

This study introduces a novel approach to treating infected bone defects using a 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V implant modified with microarc oxidation (MAO) and loaded with a vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel for sustained antibiotic release. In vitro experiments confirmed the antibacterial ability, biosafety, and osteoinductive potential of the implant. In vivo experiments using an infected rabbit bone defect model further demonstrated the implant's effective antibacterial and osteogenic abilities. The results indicate that the vancomycin-encapsulated hydrogel-loaded microarc-oxidized 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V implant can effectively repair infected bone defects with satisfactory anti-infection and osseointegration effects, offering a promising alternative to traditional treatments.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The developed implant system offers a potential solution for treating infected bone defects, addressing the limitations of traditional methods.

Biomaterial Design

The combination of 3D printing, MAO surface modification, and drug-eluting hydrogels presents a promising strategy for designing multifunctional implants.

Infection Management

The sustained release of vancomycin at the target site can help prevent and treat implant-associated infections, reducing the need for systemic antibiotics.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of continuous assessment and monitoring of the degradation of synthetic hydrogels in vivo.
2
The need for further validation in large animal models.
3
The study focuses on a specific type of bone defect and may not be generalizable to all types of infected bone defects.

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