Synthesis and Characterizations of Bioactive Glass Nanoparticle-Incorporated Triblock Copolymeric Injectable Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Engineering

Recently, injectable hydrogels have attracted much interest in tissue engineering (TE) applications because of their controlled flowability, adaptability, and easy handling properties. This work emphasizes the synthesis and characterizations of bioactive glass (BAG) nanoparticle-reinforced poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (pNVC)-based minimally invasive composite injectable hydrogel suitable for bone regeneration. First, the copolymer was synthesized from a combination of PEG and pNVC through reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and nanocomposite hydrogel constructs were subsequently prepared by conjugating BAG particles at varying loading concentrations. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis confirmed the controlled nature of the polymer. Various physicochemical characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of copolymer and nanocomposite hydrogels that showed good gelling and injectability properties. Our optimal nanocomposite hydrogel formulation showed excellent swelling properties in comparison to the copolymeric hydrogel due to the presence of hydrophilic BAG particles. The bone cell proliferation rate was found to be evidently higher in the nanocomposite hydrogel than in the copolymeric hydrogel. Moreover, the enhanced level of ALP activity and apatite mineralization for the nanocomposite in comparison to that for the copolymeric hydrogel indicates accelerated in vitro osteogenesis. Overall, our study findings indicate BAG particle-conjugated nanocomposite hydrogels can be used as promising grafting materials in orthopedic reconstructive surgeries complementary to conventional bone graft substitutes in cancellous bone defects due to their 3D porous framework, minimal invasiveness, and ability to form any desired shape to match irregular bone defects.