Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration

Hierarchical porous hydrogels possess advantageous characteristics that facilitate cell adhesion, promote tissue growth, and enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In this study, porous composite hydrogels were successfully prepared by a two-step gelation method with sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (G...

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Main Authors: Yongzhi Li, Jiangshan Liu, Jiawei Wei, Li Yuan, Jiaxin Hu, Siluo Dai, Yubao Li, Jidong Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Functional Biomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/3/100
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author Yongzhi Li
Jiangshan Liu
Jiawei Wei
Li Yuan
Jiaxin Hu
Siluo Dai
Yubao Li
Jidong Li
author_facet Yongzhi Li
Jiangshan Liu
Jiawei Wei
Li Yuan
Jiaxin Hu
Siluo Dai
Yubao Li
Jidong Li
author_sort Yongzhi Li
collection DOAJ
description Hierarchical porous hydrogels possess advantageous characteristics that facilitate cell adhesion, promote tissue growth, and enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In this study, porous composite hydrogels were successfully prepared by a two-step gelation method with sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (GEL), and calcium hydrogen phosphate (DCP) as the main components. The fabricated porous hydrogels initially featured small pores (approximately 60 μm), and gradually evolved to large pores (exceeding 250 μm) during the gradual degradation in the cellular microenvironment. In vitro cell culture experiments indicated that these hydrogels could enhance the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells due to the hierarchical porous structure and the incorporation of DCP. Subcutaneous implantation and cranial defect repair experiments in Sprague−Dawley rats further confirmed that the small initial pore size of hydrogel scaffolds can provide more sites for cell adhesion. Additionally, the gradual degradation to form large pores was conducive to cell/tissue growth and blood vessel formation, ultimately being beneficial for vascularized bone regeneration. In summary, this study proposes an innovative strategy for developing porous hydrogels with gradual degradation for functional bone regeneration.
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id doaj-art-079deecfa4fa42b8bafc8a4b4b58eea8
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issn 2079-4983
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Journal of Functional Biomaterials
spelling doaj-art-079deecfa4fa42b8bafc8a4b4b58eea82025-08-20T02:42:31ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Biomaterials2079-49832025-03-0116310010.3390/jfb16030100Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone RegenerationYongzhi Li0Jiangshan Liu1Jiawei Wei2Li Yuan3Jiaxin Hu4Siluo Dai5Yubao Li6Jidong Li7Research Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaResearch Center for Nano-Biomaterials Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaHierarchical porous hydrogels possess advantageous characteristics that facilitate cell adhesion, promote tissue growth, and enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In this study, porous composite hydrogels were successfully prepared by a two-step gelation method with sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (GEL), and calcium hydrogen phosphate (DCP) as the main components. The fabricated porous hydrogels initially featured small pores (approximately 60 μm), and gradually evolved to large pores (exceeding 250 μm) during the gradual degradation in the cellular microenvironment. In vitro cell culture experiments indicated that these hydrogels could enhance the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells due to the hierarchical porous structure and the incorporation of DCP. Subcutaneous implantation and cranial defect repair experiments in Sprague−Dawley rats further confirmed that the small initial pore size of hydrogel scaffolds can provide more sites for cell adhesion. Additionally, the gradual degradation to form large pores was conducive to cell/tissue growth and blood vessel formation, ultimately being beneficial for vascularized bone regeneration. In summary, this study proposes an innovative strategy for developing porous hydrogels with gradual degradation for functional bone regeneration.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/3/100porous hydrogelsdouble crosslinkvascularized bone regenerationcalvarial defect repair
spellingShingle Yongzhi Li
Jiangshan Liu
Jiawei Wei
Li Yuan
Jiaxin Hu
Siluo Dai
Yubao Li
Jidong Li
Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
porous hydrogels
double crosslink
vascularized bone regeneration
calvarial defect repair
title Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
title_full Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
title_fullStr Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
title_full_unstemmed Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
title_short Porous Hydrogels Prepared by Two-Step Gelation Method for Bone Regeneration
title_sort porous hydrogels prepared by two step gelation method for bone regeneration
topic porous hydrogels
double crosslink
vascularized bone regeneration
calvarial defect repair
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/3/100
work_keys_str_mv AT yongzhili poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT jiangshanliu poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT jiaweiwei poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT liyuan poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT jiaxinhu poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT siluodai poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT yubaoli poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration
AT jidongli poroushydrogelspreparedbytwostepgelationmethodforboneregeneration