For the first time, in this study, an injectable piezoelectric hydrogel (PiezoGEL™) was developed after combining gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with biocompatible piezoelectric fillers of barium titanate (BTO) that produce electrical charges when stimulated by biomechanical vibrations (e.g., mastication, movements). PiezoGEL™ showed significant reductions in pathogenic biofilm biomass (∲41%), metabolic activity (∲75%), and the number of viable cells (∲2–3‥log) compared to hydrogels without BTO fillers in vitro. Molecular analysis related the antibacterial effects to be associated with reduced cell adhesion (downregulation of porP and fimA) and increased oxidative stress (upregulation of oxyR) genes. Moreover, PiezoGEL™ was demonstrated to significantly enhance bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) viability and osteogenic differentiation by upregulating RUNX2, COL1A1, and ALP.
Dr. Stella K. Vnook, MBA, PhD, Founder of Oral Biolife stated: “This is a great Proof of Concept that PiezoGEL™ is well positioned to potentially transform periodontal treatment and potentially other areas where bone regeneration and tissue growth are vital for recovery. The scientific inventors of this technology, Dr. Santiago Orrego, PhD, and Dr. Carolina Montoya, PhD, have done a prodigious job demonstrating how PiezoGEL™ effectively reduced periodontal inflammation and increased bone tissue regeneration compared to control groups in multiple mice models.”
Bill Breitenbach, CEO of Oral Biolife, commented: “We are very excited this study further confirms that PiezoGEL™ may be a most promising and novel therapeutic candidate for the non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease”.
This work provides further evidence that PiezoGEL™ is a potentially groundbreaking disruptive treatment for periodontitis due to its unique combination of antimicrobial and bone regeneration properties.
About PiezoGEL™:
PiezoGEL™ is a piezoelectric hydrogel that is being developed for use in the treatment of periodontal disease, a common dental disease characterized by the formation of bacterial biofilms, inflammation, bone loss, and if left untreated, loss of teeth. PiezoGEL™ utilizes the ability of naturally occurring piezoelectric materials to generate small electrical charges to elicit a combined antimicrobial and bone tissue regenerative effect. Activation of the piezoelectric materials in PiezoGEL™ have now been demonstrated in a complex physiologic system to disrupt bacterial biofilms, prevent bacterial recolonization as well as stimulate the regrowth of the bone tissue that is lost due to periodontitis.
Advantages of PiezoGEL™:
- A cutting-edge, fundamentally different product compared to existing non-surgical treatments /adjuvants.
- PiezoGEL™ is an innovative, drug-free treatment that does not raise concerns regarding bacterial antibiotic resistance.
- Possess the unique ability to disrupt biofilms, prevent the recolonization of bacteria, and stimulate the regrowth of bone tissue without surgery
- Harnesses the benefits of piezoelectric particles and hydrogels (light-curable, conforms to pocket spaces, and is biocompatible), eliciting the desired biological processes in the periodontal pocket that fight disease and generate tissue without surgery.
- PiezoGEL™’s bioactive effects have a long-term operation since electrical charges are not exhausted and do not require “re-charging”.
About Oral Biolife
Oral Biolife is an innovative biotechnology company out of Temple University that utilizes the unique properties of Piezo materials to develop groundbreaking, first-to-market products. Their lead asset, PiezoGEL™, via its unique combination of antimicrobial and bone regeneration properties, represents a potential breakthrough advancement for the treatment of periodontal disease.
The publication can be found at the following link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsami.3c08336.
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Media Contact
Bill Breitenbach, Oral Biolife Inc., 1 215-707-3817, [email protected], https://www.oralbiolife.com
Stella Vnook, Oral Biolife Inc., 1 215-707-3817, [email protected], https://www.oralbiolife.com
SOURCE Oral Biolife Inc.