%0 Journal Article
%T Fabrication and Characterization of Chitosan Based Injectable Thermosensitive Hydrogels Containing Silica/Calcium Phosphate Nanocomposite Particles
%A Seyed Mohsen Latifi
%A Christina Tang
%A Henry J. Donahue
%J Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology
%P 34-48
%@ 2158-7043
%D 2021
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jbnb.2021.123004
%X In this study, the effect of silica/calcium phosphate (SiCaP) nanocomposite particles on the properties of a novel chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogel system was examined. SiCaP nanocomposite powder was fabricated using a sol-gel method and then used to fabricate nanocomposite hydrogels (Ch- <em>¦Â</em>/7.5SiCaP and Ch-<em>¦Â</em>/15SiCaP) including chitosan and <em>¦Â</em>-glycerophosphate (Ch-<em>¦Â</em>) as a matrix. Results revealed that compared to the Ch-<em>¦Â </em>hydrogel without SiCaP, the presence of SiCaP particles in nanocomposite hydrogels maintained pH stability during the sol-gel transition, accelerated the gelation and improved the stiffness of nanocomposite hydrogels. Gelation time at 37¡æ was reduced approximately 75% and stiffness was increased approximately 115%. Both of these changes are attributed to chemical and physical interactions of the SiCaP bioactive particles with chitosan. Furthermore, compared to the Ch-<em>¦Â</em> hydrogel, the presence of SiCaP in the Ch-<em>¦Â</em>/7.5SiCaP nanocomposite hydrogel did not affect biocompatibility negatively, but improved osteoblastic cell differentiation. Our studies suggest that these nanocomposite hydrogels may offer an innovative approach to bone regeneration strategies.
%K Thermosensitivity
%K Composite Hydrogel
%K Bioactive Particles
%K Rheology
%K Biocompatibility
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=110913