Viscoelasticity, mechanical properties, and in vivo biocompatibility of injectable polyvinyl alcohol/bioactive glass composite hydrogels as potential bone tissue scaffolds

Abstract

An injectable composite hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bioactive glass (BG) particles were synthesized by a physical crosslinking approach. The morphology, mechanical properties, and viscoelasticity of the PVA/BG composite hydrogel were characterized. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) showed uniform and homogeneous distribution of BG particles throughout the composite hydrogel. The incorporation of 2.5 wt% of BG particles in the composite hydrogel formulations, enhanced the static compressive strength and static elastic modulus by 325% and 150%, respectively. The storage molds (G′) was greater than the loss modules (G′′) at all the frequency range studied, which revealed a self-standing elastic composite hydrogel with a smooth injectability. The PVA/BG composite hydrogel was also implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of adult male rats. After 4 weeks of implantation, no inflammatory cells were seen within and around the implant, which indicated that the composite hydrogel was biocompatible. The properties of the synthesized injectable PVA/BG composite hydrogel demonstrate its capability toward bone regeneration.

Keywords:

• Injectable hydrogel
• poly(vinyl alcohol)
• bioactive glass
• viscoelasticity
• bone regeneration

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the funding from STDF and the kind assistance of Dr. Adel F. Badria and Dr. Elsayeda-Zeinab A. Abdelfattah in performing the in vivo study.

Additional information

Funding

This research work was supported financially by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), Egypt, Project ID 7982.