Nanostructured hybrid device mimicking bone extracellular matrix as local and sustained antibiotic delivery system

A fluidic permeable and stable in wet media, MBG-NfGel, device consisting of a mesoporous ceramic embodied in a nanofibrillar biodegradable polymer has been processed using appropriate thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processing variables of 5.4% (wt/v) gelatin in 50/50 water/ethanol (v/v) ratio. The device comprises high surface area mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) microparticles within a fibrous matrix of 170 nm average diameter nanofibers gelatin, forming a meshwork of 0.2-1.6 mu m range voids. Gentamicin sulphate (GS) antibiotic high loading capacity and sustained release ability, as well as in vitro bioactivity and osteoprogenitor cells biocompatibility supports long-term antibacterial and bone growth stimulation properties. Antibiotic local delivery functionality in vitro of this device has been analysed and discussed in relation to other systems previously reported. The presented device properties as well as its industrial scalability potential, in terms of process reliability and absence of toxic chemical agents, low raw material biopolymer cost and immunogenicity, are other important advantages. These advantages rank MBG-NfGel device as a potential candidate to further development for application as local antibiotic device in bone surgery and therapy. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.