Bone damage occurs for many reasons, from trauma to congenital problems. Furthermore, the number of elderly people worldwide is rapidly growing, prone to bone loss and an increased risk of fractures with serious consequences. Scientists from the Pohang University of Science and Technology have proposed a new solution for bone tissue regeneration: growing new bone from a hydrogel.
Scientists are no strangers to using gels, but many have previously encountered problems with limited strength and adhesion. Now, they've developed a special hydrogel based on alginate, calcium ions, a set of peptides, and other agents. They've also used harmless light to initiate the hardening process in the body. Thanks to the gel's special composition, the bone contains all the minerals necessary 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, bonded with other tissues, and formed future bone.
There is still a long 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-based implants. The method demonstrated a two-fold increase in bone healing compared to the natural bone fusion process.
