3D printed elastic hydrogel conduits with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone release for peripheral nerve repair

• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100652
• Publication Date: 2023-04-30T13:37:25Z
• Authors: Wenbi Wu; Yinchu Dong; Haofan Liu; Xuebing Jiang; Ling Yang; Jing Luo; Yu Hu; Maling Gou
• Keywords: Fibroin; Nerve guidance conduit; Peripheral nerve injury; Remyelination

Nerve guide conduit is a promising treatment for long gap peripheral nerve injuries, yet its efficacy limited. Drug-releasable scaffolds may provide reliable platforms to build regenerative microenvironment recovery. In this study, an elastic hydrogel encapsulating with prodrug nanoassemblies fabricated by continuous 3D printing technique promoting regeneration. The bioactive comprised of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and silk fibroin glycidyl methacrylate (SF-MA), exhibiting positive effects on adhesion, proliferation, migration Schwann cells. Meanwhile, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) high drug-loading capacities are developed through self-assembly the lipophilic loaded into GelMA/SF-MA hydrogel. drug loading could sustainedly release 7,8-DHF facilitate neurite elongation. A 12 ​mm defect model established therapeutic efficiency evaluation implanting surgical suturing rat sciatic nerve. electrophysiological, morphological, histological assessments indicate that can promote axon regeneration, remyelination, function recovery providing favorable microenvironment. These findings implicate has potentials in long-gap injury.