An injectable gelatin methacrylate containing surface-imprinted chitosan-modified bioglass microspheres for potential periodontitis treatment.

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by bacterial infection, leads to the gradual breakdown of the structures supporting teeth. Effective nonsurgical management of this disease necessitates advanced technologies that counter bacterial presence and stimulate bone repair. The purpose of this study is to create a multifunctional composite hydrogel by combining gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) with surface-imprinted chitosan-modified bioglass (MIP) particles for the controlled release of doxycycline (DOX). Findings indicate that incorporating MIP particles plays a key role in modulating the swelling ratio, degradability, wettability, rheological behavior, and mechanical performances of composite hydrogels. Additionally, these injectable hydrogels are bioactive, promoting in vitro formation of bone-like apatite while providing rapid in vitro localized hemostasis, along with antioxidant and antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, depending on MIP particle concentration. Notably, the MIP particles could improve cellular responses, supporting better spreading and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) in both basic and osteogenic media, driven by optimal bioglass ion release and DOX. Overall, these injectable composite hydrogels show promising features as a nonsurgical therapeutic strategy for periodontal disease.