Bone damage occurs for many reasons, from injuries to congenital problems. In addition, the number of elderly people around the world is rapidly growing, prone to bone deficiencies and an increased risk of fractures with serious consequences for the body. Scientists from the Pohang University of Science and Technology have proposed a new solution for bone tissue regeneration - growing new bone from hydrogel.
Scientists have used gels before, but many have faced problems with limited strength and adhesion. Now they have developed a special hydrogel based on alginate, calcium ions, a set of peptides and other agents. They have also used harmless light, which triggers the process of hardening of the material in the body. Thanks to the special composition of the gel, the bone has all the necessary minerals for growth and strength.
"This technology provides both tissue regeneration and adhesion, eliminating the need for additional separate bone grafts or glue," the scientists said.
The treatment was successfully tested on mouse models with femur injuries: the hydrogel was delivered to the desired location, connected with other tissues and formed future bone.
There is still a large stage of preclinical research ahead, but the authors are confident in the prospects of their development for future clinical use in regenerative medicine.
Previously, other scientists presented a technology for bone regeneration using blood implants. The method showed a two-fold increase in the rate of bone restoration compared to the natural process of bone fusion.
