An adaptive biodegradable zinc alloy with bidirectional regulation of bone homeostasis for treating fractures and aged bone defects

Jialian Xu; Guo Bao; Bo Jia; Minqi Wang; Peng Wen; Tianyou Kan; Shutao Zhang; Aobo Liu; Haozheng Tang; Hongtao Yang; Bing Yue; Kerong Dai; Yufeng Zheng; Xinhua Qu

Bioactive Materials (Aug 2024)

An adaptive biodegradable zinc alloy with bidirectional regulation of bone homeostasis for treating fractures and aged bone defects

Jialian Xu,
Guo Bao,
Bo Jia,
Minqi Wang,
Peng Wen,
Tianyou Kan,
Shutao Zhang,
Aobo Liu,
Haozheng Tang,
Hongtao Yang,
Bing Yue,
Kerong Dai,
Yufeng Zheng,
Xinhua Qu

Affiliations

Jialian Xu: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Guo Bao: Laboratory Animal centre, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, 100081, China
Bo Jia: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Minqi Wang: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Peng Wen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Tianyou Kan: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Shutao Zhang: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Aobo Liu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Haozheng Tang: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
Hongtao Yang: School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; Corresponding author. School of Medical Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Bing Yue: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China; Corresponding author. Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China.
Kerong Dai: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China; Corresponding author. Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
Yufeng Zheng: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Corresponding author. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Xinhua Qu: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China; Corresponding author. Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200001, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 38
pp. 207 – 224

Abstract

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Healing of fractures or bone defects is significantly hindered by overactivated osteoclasts and inhibited osteogenesis in patients with abnormal bone metabolism. Current clinical approaches using titanium alloys or stainless steel provide mechanical support but have no biological effects on bone regeneration. Therefore, designing and fabricating degradable metal materials with sufficient mechanical strength and bidirectional regulation of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts is a substantial challenge. Here, this study first reported an adaptive biodegradable Zn-0.8 Mg alloy with bidirectional regulation of bone homeostasis, which promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating the Pi3k/Akt pathway and inhibits osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the GRB2/ERK pathway. The anti-osteolytic ability of the Zn-0.8 Mg alloy was verified in a mouse calvarial osteolysis model and its suitability for internal fracture fixation with high-strength screws was confirmed in the rabbit femoral condyle fracture model. Furthermore, in an aged postmenopausal rat femoral condyle defect model, 3D printed Zn-0.8 Mg scaffolds promoted excellent bone regeneration through adaptive structures with good mechanical properties and bidirectionally regulated bone metabolism, enabling personalized bone defect repair. These findings demonstrate the substantial potential of the Zn-0.8 Mg alloy for treating fractures or bone defects in patients with aberrant bone metabolism.

Published in Bioactive Materials

ISSN: 2452-199X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/bioactive-materials/

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