New Biocompatible Ti-MOF@hydroxyapatite Composite\nBoosted with Gentamicin for Postoperative Infection Control

The\nstandard clinical management of osteomyelitis involves prolonged\nantibiotic therapy, which frequently necessitates the excision of\ninfected tissues. However, the efficacy of such treatments is increasingly\ncompromised by the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, underscoring\nan urgent need for innovative approaches. This study introduces a\nnovel composite material designed to offer dual functionality: robust\nantimicrobial activity and promotion of bone regeneration. The composite\nintegrates biocompatible hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA) with a\ntitanium(IV)–metal–organic framework, MIL-125(Ti)-NH<sub>2</sub>, impregnated with gentamicin (GM). The solvothermally synthesized\nMIL-125-NH<sub>2</sub>@HA composite demonstrates high cytocompatibility,\nas evidenced by assays using osteoblasts (U2-OS) and fibroblasts (L929),\nalongside an absence of hemolytic activity at concentrations of up\nto 1000 μg/mL. Importantly, the introduction of GM into the\ncomposite significantly amplifies its antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas\naeruginosa. Additionally, nanoindentation assessments\nreveal enhanced mechanical properties of the MIL-125-NH<sub>2</sub>@HA composite, indicating the superior elastic performance relative\nto unmodified HA. The findings of this research are poised to generate\nsignificant interest in the development of metal–organic framework\n(MOF)-based composites for antimicrobial implant applications, presenting\na promising avenue for addressing the challenges posed by antibiotic\nresistance in bone infections.