Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles‐Embedded Coatings on Anti‐Inflammatory TiO₂ Nanotubes for Bacteria Elimination and Inflammatory Environment Amelioration

Abstract

Implant-associated bacterial infections significantly impair the integration between titanium and soft tissues. Traditional antibacterial modifications of titanium implants are able to eliminate bacteria, but the resulting pro-inflammatory reactions are usually ignored, which still poses potential risks to human bodies. Here, a dual drug-loading system on titanium has been developed via the adhesion of a catechol motif-modified methacrylated gelatin hydrogel onto TiO₂ nanotubes. Then synthesized CaO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) are embedded into the hydrogel, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) is loaded into the nanotubes to achieve both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The dual drug-loading system can eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) rapidly, attributed to the H₂ O₂ release from CaO₂ NPs. The potential cytotoxicity of CaO₂ NPs is also remarkably reduced after being embedded into the hydrogel. More importantly, with the gradual release of IL-4, the dual drug-loading system is capable of modulating pro-inflammatory reactions by inducing M2 phenotype polarization of macrophages. In a subcutaneous infection model, the S. aureus contamination is effectively resolved after 2 days, and the resulting pro-inflammatory reactions are also inhibited after 7 days. Finally, the damaged tissue is significantly recovered. Taken together, the dual drug-loading system exhibits great therapeutic potential in effectively killing pathogens and inhibiting the resulting pro-inflammatory reactions.