Zinc doped silica nanoparticles gelatin methacrylate hydrogel on BMSCs cell viability and differentiation: Potential for rat mandibular bone defect repair

The various maxillofacial bone defect caused by fractures, tumors, and inflammationsis challenging to repair clinically. Therefore, developing a functional material with bone tissue regeneration capabilities has significant practical importance. In this study, Zn doped silica nanoparticles were produced by microemulsion assisted sol-gel method and then different concentrations of nanoparticles was added to the gelatin methacrylated hydrogel to form the composite materials for potential rat mandibular bone defect repair. First, the elements of Zn, O, and Si were effectively integrated into nanoparticles. SEM analysis revealed the presence of Zn doped silica nanoparticles on the hydrogel’s surface. Second, the 0.2 ZnSNPs/GelMA had good biocompatibility, and the ability to effectively induce osteogenic differentiation in Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Finally, in vivo 4 mm diameter circular bone defect repair experiments indicated that the 0.2 ZnSNPs/GelMA promoted new bone regeneration in vivo. Overall, we believe that composite material with good biocompatibility and excellent osteoinductive property will provide new ideas for enhancing the efficacy of hard tissue repair.