Compressive Strength and Bioactivity Properties of Photopolymerizable Hybrid Composite Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The drug release capabilities of synthetic bone scaffolds have often been overlooked. In this study novel poly(ethylene) glycol and beta-tricalcium phosphate hydrogel composites were photopolymerized and evaluated in terms of mechanical strength, bioactivity, antimicrobial release profile, and the efficacy of released antimicrobials. Young's modulus values ranged between 4.36 and 8.70 MPa. This increase was associated with the physical bonding interaction between polymer and bioceramic. Bioactivity was confirmed by the formation of globular crystals. Drug release studies showed the diffusion of vancomycin from hydrogel composites can be controlled by the hydrogels’ three-dimensional structure. Moreover, vancomycin loaded samples showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus.