Polydopamine-coated gold nanoparticles promote cartilage regeneration and alleviate osteoarthritis in rats.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, and current treatments often result in suboptimal fibrous cartilage repair. This study explored the effects of polydopamine-coated gold nanoparticles (PD-AuNPs) on cartilage repair and OA-related changes. Methods PD-AuNPs were synthesized using dopamine hydrochloride as a surface coating for AuNPs and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Their effects were evaluated in vitro using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and in vivo using a cartilage defect rat model and a monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA model. In the defect model, a biocompatible hydrogel composed of polydimethylsiloxane and sodium hyaluronate was used as a carrier. Significant findings In vitro, PD-AuNPs was associated with upregulated expression of the chondrogenic markers aggrecan (ACAN) (∼ 1.6-fold) and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) (∼ 1.2-fold) compared with AuNPs alone. In vivo, PD-AuNPs improved repair outcomes in the defect model, showing higher scores for defect filling (3.7 vs. 2.3), osteochondral reconstitution (1.7 vs. 0.6), cell morphology (2.3 vs. 1.2), and matrix staining (3.3 vs. 1.3), along with enhanced ACAN and SOX9 expression. In the OA model, PD-AuNP was associated with reduced OA-related changes, including improved weight-bearing

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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