In the realm of orthopedic medicine, the challenge of managing infected bone defects (IBDs) has persisted as a significant hurdle. The advent of advanced biomaterials has opened new avenues for innovation, particularly in the development of bone regeneration scaffolds that can not only promote bone growth but also combat infections. A recent study, published in BME Frontiers , presents a groundbreaking dual-functional bone regeneration scaffold, designated as Qx-D, which holds immense promise for the treatment of IBDs.
The research, conducted with the aim of improving early management and surgical outcomes for bone infections, focused on modifying demineralized bone matrix (DBM), a naturally derived material known for its osteogenic potential. DBM, while effective in inducing bone regeneration, lacks antimicrobial properties, making it susceptible to infections. To overcome this limitation, the research team introduced a macromolecular quaternary ammonium salt (QPEI) to the DBM structure.
Through a facile Schiff base reaction, a series of Qx-D scaffolds with tunable feeding ratios were synthesized. These scaffolds exhibited marked antibacterial properties against a range of bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), methicillin-resistant S.
aureus (MRSA), and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). The antibacterial efficiency of Qx-D reached an impressive 99.
9%, demonstrating its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In a.
