Enhanced mechanical, biomineralization, and cellular response of nanocomposite hydrogels by bioactive glass and halloysite nanotubes for bone tissue regeneration

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2021-09, Vol.128, p.112236-112236, Article 112236
• Main Authors: Kumar, Anuj, Han, Sung Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apatite; Bioactive glass; Bioglass; Biological activity; Biomedical materials; Biomineralization; Body fluids; Bone growth; Bone tissue regeneration; Bones; Chemical interactions; Compressive strength; Dynamic mechanical properties; Free radical polymerization; Freeze-thawing; Halloysite nanotubes; Hydrogels; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Mineralization; Nanocomposite hydrogels; Nanocomposites; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Polyacrylamide; Porosity; Regeneration; Stiffness; Swelling ratio; Synergistic effect; Thawing; Tissue engineering; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112236

In the present study, the synergistic effect of the bioactive glass (BG) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) (i.e. BG@HNT) was evaluated on physicochemical and bioactive properties of polyacrylamide/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PMPV) based nanocomposite hydrogels. Here, a double-network hydrogel composed of organic-inorganic components was successfully developed by using in-situ free-radical polymerization and freeze-thawing process. Structural analyses confirmed the successful formation of the nanocomposite hydrogels through physical and chemical interactions. Morphological analysis showed that all hydrogel scaffolds are containing highly porous 3D microstructure and pore-interconnectivity. The equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels was decreased by the addition of BG or BG@HNT and thereby the lower porosity and pore-size reduced the penetration of media and slow down the degradation process. Enhanced biomineralization ability of PMPV/BG@HNT was observed via apatite-forming ability (Ca/P: 1.21 ± 0.14) after immersion in the simulated body fluid as well as significantly enhanced dynamic mechanical properties (compressive strength: 102.1 kPa at 45% of strain and stiffness: 3115.0 N/m at 15% of strain). Furthermore, an enhanced attachment and growth of hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells on PMPV/BG@HNT was achieved compared to PMPV or PMPV/BG hydrogels over 14 days. The PMPV/BG@HNT nanocomposite hydrogel could have a promising application in low-load bearing bone tissue regeneration. [Display omitted] •BG@HNTs reinforced PMPV nanocomposite hydrogels were in situ synthesized.•A double-network hydrogel through organic-inorganic composite solution was introduced.•An effective mesh-network development in nanocomposite hydrogel was depicted.•Enhanced mechanical stability, biomineralization, and osteoblast growth in vitro were achieved.