Evidence Hub

E-jet printed polycaprolactone with strontium-substituted mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

Kong CH, Steffi C, Cai Y, Wang W

Biomaterials advances, 2025

Abstract

Osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture risk, poses a significant health challenge, particularly for aging populations. Systemic treatments often lead to adverse side effects, emphasizing the need for localized solutions. This study introduces a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold embedded with strontium-substituted mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (Sr-MBGNPs) and icariin (ICN) for the targeted regeneration of osteoporotic bone. The scaffold was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), ion release studies, and cellular assays, which confirmed its dual functionality in both enhancing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The optimized Sr-MBGNP concentration ensured sustained ion release, superior hydrophilicity, and bioactivity without compromising scaffold integrity. Additionally, e-jet printing provided high precision and uniform pore sizes conducive to cellular activity. This novel scaffold platform demonstrates a promising localized treatment strategy, reducing systemic side effects while improving fixation stability. The innovative integration of Sr-MBGNPs and ICN highlights its potential to revolutionize osteoporosis therapy by promoting bone regeneration and mitigating bone resorption.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free