Design Of Functional Vancomycin-embedded Bio-derived Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels For Repairing Infectious Bone Defects

Objective: To explore the efficacy of Van impregnated PEM(Van-PEM)hydrogel in repairing infected bone defects.Method: we prepared a novel antibacterial material(Van-PEM)by embedding van comycin(Van)in a periosteal extracellular matrix(PEM)-derived hydrogel via phy sical stirring for the treatment of infectious bone defects.The microstructure,poro sity,degradation,and release properties of this antibacterial hydrogel were characte rized.The in vitro hemolytic reaction,cytotoxicity,osteogenic ability,and antibact erial properties were also carefully studied.Results: the Van-PEM hydrogel possessed a fibrous network structure with high porosity.Moreover,the hydrogel demonstrated slow degradation in vitro and could release vancomycin for at least one week.The hydrogel showed no cytotoxicity and possessed good biocompatibility with blood cells.It also promoted osteogenesis and exerted a significant bactericidal effect.Subsequently,the anti-infection and bone-healing abilities of the antibacterial hydrogel were investigated in a rat model of infectious calvarial defects,and the infected skull defect was successfully cured in vivo.Conculsion: Van-PEM hydrogels had the effect of slow-release of vancomycin and long-term sterilization,and had the ability of natural bone induction and osteogenesis.