Ceramic scaffolds with immobilized vancomycin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles for bone defects treatment

Three-dimensional scaffolds are often used to support healing process for bone defects reconstruction. Unfortunately a common occurrence of post-implantation infections results in their high failure rate. Thus we propose new TiO2 scaffolds that combine mechanical support and controlled antibiotics release to assure bactericidal properties. Poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles containing vancomycin were successfully immobilized on the scaffolds pore walls with the use of cross-linked sodium alginate. Prolonged drug release was achieved from such systems with initial burst release of 22% within 8 h, which falls within “decisive period” after surgical procedures of effective infection control. Antimicrobial properties of drug released from the systems against Staphylococcus spp. as well as cytocompatibility in contact with osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) were proven. Hence such scaffolds may be promising for infection prevention and bone tissue defects treatment.