Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed an injectable hydrogel that significantly boosts bone density, potentially revolutionizing osteoporosis treatment. Conducted with rats, this study demonstrated rapid improvements in bone strength when combined with traditional osteoporosis medications, as detailed in the journal Bone on January 28, 2025.

Dominique Pioletti, leading the Laboratory of Biomechanical Orthopedics at EPFL, highlights the severe impact of osteoporosis, a disease where bone resorption outpaces formation, leading to fractures. Current osteoporosis treatments typically entail systemic drugs that are slow to effect, often requiring up to a year to show results. The EPFL team, in collaboration with Zurich’s Schulthess Klinik, has introduced a hydrogel made of hyaluronic acid and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, mimicking bone minerals. This hydrogel, when injected, showed a remarkable four- to five-fold increase in bone density in rat models within weeks.

The approach of using local treatments such as the injectable hydrogel addresses a gap in current osteoporosis therapies, which mostly rely on systemic solutions that may not prevent imminent fractures. This development aligns with a broader push in medical research to combine local and systemic treatments, offering faster and more targeted results. Experts in the field recognize this as a promising advancement in combating age-related bone degeneration, especially given the growing elderly population confronting osteoporosis.

Pioletti explains that their findings indicate the potential of localized anti-catabolic drug delivery to complement systemic treatments. This method not only accelerates bone density increases but also supports areas where bone strength is critically needed, such as around implants. The team’s hydrogel, combined with drugs like Zoledronate and parathyroid hormone, could transform the prevention strategies for osteoporosis.

As the EPFL and flowbone team await regulatory approval to initiate human clinical trials, the prospect of rapid bone densification treatments could lead to significant advancements in osteoporosis management. Should clinical trials confirm these findings, hydrogel injections may become a cornerstone in preventing fractures and ensuring better quality of life for patients with osteoporosis.

Article Source: An injectable hydrogel for local bone densification | ScienceDaily
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