Effect of Micro-/Nanoparticle Hybrid Hydrogel Platform on the Treatment of Articular Cartilage-Related Diseases

Abstract

Joint diseases that mainly lead to articular cartilage injury with prolonged severe pain as well as dysfunction have remained unexplained for many years. One of the main reasons is that damaged articular cartilage is unable to repair and regenerate by itself. Furthermore, current therapy, including drug therapy and operative treatment, cannot solve the problem. Fortunately, the micro-/nanoparticle hybrid hydrogel platform provides a new strategy for the treatment of articular cartilage-related diseases, owing to its outstanding biocompatibility, high loading capability, and controlled release effect. The hybrid platform is effective for controlling symptoms of pain, inflammation and dysfunction, and cartilage repair and regeneration. In this review, we attempt to summarize recent studies on the latest development of micro-/nanoparticle hybrid hydrogel for the treatment of articular cartilage-related diseases. Furthermore, some prospects are proposed, aiming to improve the properties of the micro-/nanoparticle hybrid hydrogel platform so as to offer useful new ideas for the effective and accurate treatment of articular cartilage-related diseases.

Organic solvents enhance polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol self‐healing hydrogels for artificial cartilage

“…Articular cartilage is a smooth, viscoelastic connective tissue with a unique two‐phase structure that provides adequate mechanical support for the tissue and reduces and transfers stress and lubricating properties 5,6 . There is no vascular tissue within the articular cartilage to deliver nutrients, and cartilage cells are unable to regenerate and repair to cartilage tissue after damage such as trauma, intra‐articular infection or autoimmune disease 7,8 . Once the articular cartilage is damaged or diseased, it will fundamentally affect the transfer of forces between joints and increase wear and tear on the joints, causing joint pain and deformity, which can seriously affect the quality of life 9 .…”

“…5,6 There is no vascular tissue within the articular cartilage to deliver nutrients, and cartilage cells are unable to regenerate and repair to cartilage tissue after damage such as trauma, intra-articular infection or autoimmune disease. 7,8 Once the articular cartilage is damaged or diseased, it will fundamentally affect the transfer of forces between joints and increase wear and tear on the joints, causing joint pain and deformity, which can seriously affect the quality of life. 9 Current cartilage self-repair strategies include subchondral bone drilling, chondrocyte transplantation, and drug injections, but these methods not only have a high failure rate and long recovery time (>1 year), but also show a decreasing trend in efficacy for patients older than 40 years.…”