Periodontal disease affects nearly half of American adults and is characterized by an overabundance of Gram-negative bacteria within dental plaque biofilms that induce severe inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissue. Untreated periodontal disease leads to degradation of oral tissue (i.e., gum, tooth, and bone) and has been linked to other serious systemic conditions such as cardiovascular and heart diseases. One of the major challenges in treating periodontal disease is poor retention of antibacterial agents and implants within periodontal pockets, the main site of infection. Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous antibacterial agent and immune response regulator, is capable of eradicating bacteria through a variety of pathways, thus making it an effective antibacterial agent while also reducing the risk of acquired resistance. Covalent attachment of NO to dextran scaffolds via formation of <i>N</i>-diazeniumdiolate NO donors has enabled the development of NO-releasing dextran hydrogels. By taking advantage of imine chemistry, amine-modified dextrans and aldehyde-containing oxidized dextrans were combined to create injectable, biodegradable, NO-releasing hydrogels acting as the tissue interface for NO delivery to dental plaque biofilms within periodontal pockets. Importantly, an injectable platform enables localized delivery of NO with quick, facile hydrogel formation from liquid solutions tailored to fit the size and shape of the target site (e.g., periodontal pockets of differing depths). The antibacterial action of these materials was evaluated against a key periodontal pathogen, <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, in vitro before examining their efficacy in a more complex in vivo murine model of periodontitis.

Nitric oxide-releasing polysaccharide hydrogels for treating periodontal disease

2019 Fall National Meeting

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