FURI | Spring 2024

Delivery of Alpha Ketoglutarate from Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels for Bone Repair Applications

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Currently, autograft and allograft bones are the only options for treating bone loss, however, they pose many limitations. Immunomodulatory alpha-ketoglutarate (aKG) is of interest due to its ability to modulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity. By generating polymeric microparticles with aKG (paKG MPs), aKG release can be controlled and sustained over time via microparticle degradation. For this project, the researcher synthesized paKG MPs and characterized microparticle size and release kinetics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to verify the diameter and distribution of the microparticles. Lastly, microparticles were added to a hydrogel to form a scaffold.