Antioxidant-Coated multifunctional whitlockite scaffold for the treatment of Steroid-Induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Core decompression (CD) is a common surgical intervention in treating early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), helping reduce intraosseous pressure and re-establish blood flow. The additional treatment option using a scaffold is used to achieve a better therapeutic outcome after operating CD. However, the bone scaffolds have not been reported that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation which lead to exacerbation of ONFH progress. Herein, we introduce an antioxidant-coated whitlockite bone scaffold. This scaffold has excellent osteoconductivity by using a synthetic bone graft material, and the antioxidant–catechol quinone group coated on the surface reduces oxidative stress by scavenging ROS and lowers the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our findings from the implantation of scaffold after CD in a rabbit steroid-induced ONFH model, confirmed that the antioxidant coating provided successful bone regeneration potential and anti-inflammation effect. The antioxidant coating suppresses the inflammatory response at the post-CD lesion, thereby improving the treatment of steroid-induced ONFH.