Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (32): 8420-8426.doi: 10.12307/2026.420

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Preparation and cytocompatibility of sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite-graphene oxide hydrogels

Li Xuanze1, 2, Fang Hanhong3, Xu Zhe4   

  1. 1Department of Emergency and Trauma Surgery, 2Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei Province, China; 3Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China; 4Department of Orthopedics, Guihang Guiyang Hospital, Guiyang 550009, Guizhou Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-12-30 Online:2026-11-18 Published:2026-04-27
  • Contact: Xu Zhe, MS, Attending physician, Department of Orthopedics, Guihang Guiyang Hospital, Guiyang 550009, Guizhou Province, China
  • About author:Li Xuanze, MS, Attending physician, Department of Emergency and Trauma Surgery, and Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Guizhou Provincial Department of Science and Technology Plan Project, No. ZK[2023]532 (to XZ); Guiyang Municipal Science and Technology Plan Project, No. [2024]2-33 (to XZ); General Medical Science and Technology Fund, No. TYYLKYJJ-2023-036 (to XZ)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Graphene oxide composite hydrogels exhibit various excellent properties, such as mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and controllable degradation, making them of great research and application value.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility of sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite-graphene oxide hydrogels. 
METHODS: Sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite, sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite-8 g/L graphene oxide, sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite-10 g/L graphene oxide, and sodium alginate-hydroxyapatite-12 g/L graphene oxide solutions were prepared. The viscosity of the four groups of solutions was measured. The four groups of solutions were cross-linked in CaCl2 solution to obtain hydrogels, which were denoted as SA-HA, SA-HA-8 g/L GO, SA-HA-10 g/L GO, and SA-HA-12 g/L GO, respectively. The compressive elastic modulus, compressive stress, in vitro degradation rate, equilibrium swelling ratio, and microstructure of the four groups of hydrogels were characterized. The four groups of hydrogels were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell viability was observed by Live/Dead fluorescence staining. Cell adhesion was observed by scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The addition of graphene oxide significantly increased the viscosity of the hydrogel solution, with the SA-HA-10 g/L GO group showing the best viscosity, which met the requirements for hydrogel shaping. With the addition of graphene oxide and the increase in its concentration, the compressive elastic modulus and compressive stress of the hydrogels increased, the in vitro degradation rate decreased, and the porosity initially increased and then decreased, with the SA-HA-10 g/L GO group having the highest porosity. The addition of graphene oxide reduced the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels. Scanning electron microscopy showed that all four groups of hydrogels had porous structures, and the pore size decreased with the addition of graphene oxide and the increase in its concentration. (2) Scanning electron microscopy showed that the SA-HA group material had the least cell adhesion on its surface, while the SA-HA-10 g/L GO group material had the most cell adhesion. CCK-8 assay showed that after 3, 5, and 7 days of culture, the cell absorbance values of the SA-HA-8 g/L GO group, SA-HA-10 g/L GO group, and SA-HA-12 g/L GO group were higher than that of the SA-HA group (P < 0.05). Live/Dead fluorescence staining showed that the cell viability of the SA-HA-8 g/L GO group, SA-HA-10 g/L GO group, and SA-HA-12 g/L GO group was higher than that of the SA-HA group (P < 0.05), and the cell viability of the SA-HA-10 g/L GO group was higher than that of the SA-HA-8 g/L GO group and SA-HA-12 g/L GO group (P < 0.05). (3) The results exhibit that the SA-HA-10 g/L GO hydrogel has superior cytocompatibility, a suitable degradation rate, and sufficient mechanical properties.

Key words: biomaterials, graphene oxide, hydroxyapatite, alginate, composite hydrogel, tissue engineering scaffold, bone tissue engineering

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