Application of gelatin methacryloyl/minocycline-chitosan-nanoparticles composite hydrogel for the treatment of periodontitis.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel loa-ded with minocycline-chitosan-nanoparticles (MCN) for the treatment of periodontitis in vitro and vivo. MCN were synthesized by ionic gel method. GelMA/MCN composite hydrogels were prepared by compounding MCN with GelMA hydrogel. The materials were characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The degradation behavior and drug release rates of hydrogels were evaluated. The antibacterial activity of GelMA/MCN hydrogel against Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected, and the minimum antibacterial concentration was determined. Biocompatibility and osteogenic experiments were conducted under a simulated periodontitis environment. A rat model of periodontitis was constructed to observe the therapeutic effects of GelMA/MCN hydrogel. MCN was successfully synthesized with a particle size of about 80 nm, while the structures of GelMA/MCN had no significant differences from GelMA. MCN and GelMA/MCN released minocycline slowly and steadily. Bacterial growth was completely inhibited when the MCN concentration was higher than or equal to 0.2 mg·mL-1. GelMA/MCN hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility at effective antimicrobial concentrations under the simulated periodontitis environment with the enzyme. The in vivo results showed that GelMA/MCN prevented the progression of periodontitis and promoted the repair of bone defects. GelMA/MCN composite hydrogel can release minocycline slowly and steadily and has good antibacterial activity and biocompatibility to promote the repair of periodontitis bone defects.