Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (Jun 2023)

Vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin microspheres in an injectable hydrogel for chronic osteomyelitis therapy

  • Peng Zhang,
  • Peng Zhang,
  • Peng Zhang,
  • Yusheng Sun,
  • Haizhen Yang,
  • Dong Liu,
  • Feng Zhang,
  • Yu Zhang,
  • Wentao Zhong,
  • Baoqi Zuo,
  • Zhiqiang Zhou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1163933
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Introduction: Chronic osteomyelitis remains a clinical challenge in orthopedics.Methods: In this study, silk fibroin microspheres (SFMPs) loaded with vancomycin are entrapped in an injectable silk hydrogel to form a vancomycin delivery system for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.Results and Discussion: Vancomycin showed continuous release from the hydrogel for up to 25 days. The hydrogel shows strong antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and a long antibacterial duration of 10 days without a decrease in the antibacterial effect. The injection of vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin microspheres entrapped in the hydrogel into the infected site of rat tibia reduced bone infection and improved bone regeneration compared with other treatment groups.Conclusion: Thus, the composite SF hydrogel features a sustained-release profile and good biocompatibility, making it promising for application in osteomyelitis treatment.

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