Supramolecular Composite Hydrogel Loaded with CaF₂ Nanoparticles Promotes the Recovery of Periodontitis Bone Resorption

Treatments to reduce periodontal inflammation and rescue periodontitis bone resorption have been of interest to researchers. Bone tissue engineering materials have been gradually used in the treatment of bone defects, but periodontal bone tissue regeneration still faces challenges. Considering the biocompatibility factor, constructing bionic scaffolds with natural extracellular matrix properties is an ideal therapeutic pathway. Based on the pathological mechanism of periodontitis, in this study, short peptide and nanometer inorganic particles were comingled to construct NapKFF-nano CaF₂ supramolecular composite hydrogels with different ratios. Material characterization experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel had suitable mechanical properties and a three-dimensional structure that can function in the resorption region of the alveolar bone and provide spaces for cell proliferation and adhesion. The release of low concentrations of fluoride and calcium ions has been shown to have positive biological effects in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Vitro experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel had good biocompatibility and promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Microbiological experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel inhibited the activity of periodontal pathogenic bacteria. In animal studies, composite hydrogel applied to periodontitis rats in vivo can effectively repair alveolar bone resorption. This composite hydrogel has a simple preparation method and is inexpensive to produce, yet it has antibacterial and osteogenesis-promoting incremental effects, which makes it well suited for the treatment of periodontitis bone resorption, providing a new strategy for periodontal bone tissue engineering.