AUTHOR=Zhang Peng , Sun Yusheng , Yang Haizhen , Liu Dong , Zhang Feng , Zhang Yu , Zhong Wentao , Zuo Baoqi , Zhou Zhiqiang 

TITLE=Vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin microspheres in an injectable hydrogel for chronic osteomyelitis therapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1163933

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1163933

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Chronic osteomyelitis remains a clinical challenge in orthopedics.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> In this study, silk fibroin microspheres (SFMPs) loaded with vancomycin are entrapped in an injectable silk hydrogel to form a vancomycin delivery system for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.</p><p><bold>Results and Discussion:</bold> Vancomycin showed continuous release from the hydrogel for up to 25 days. The hydrogel shows strong antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and a long antibacterial duration of 10 days without a decrease in the antibacterial effect. The injection of vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin microspheres entrapped in the hydrogel into the infected site of rat tibia reduced bone infection and improved bone regeneration compared with other treatment groups.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Thus, the composite SF hydrogel features a sustained-release profile and good biocompatibility, making it promising for application in osteomyelitis treatment.</p>