In Situ Assembled Metal‐Phenolic Nanozyme Biointerfaces Revitalize Stem Cells and Optimize Diabetic Implant Osseointegration

This paper reports a metal phenolic nanozyme coating for Ti implants, achieved through repeated deposition of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and copper phosphate nanosheets. It highlights the phenomenon of phenolic ligand−metal charge transfer, which leads to the formation of biointerfaces that effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species and rejuvenate stem cells in diabetic environments, thereby enhancing osseointegration.

Abstract

The hyperglycemic microenvironment of diabetes inevitably leads to the accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairs the function of stem cells, thereby impeding the process of osseointegration after implant placement. In this study, a self-assembled metal-phenolic nanozyme coating is presented for alleviating diabetic oxidative stress and improving osseointegration at implant interfaces. The antioxidant-like enzyme activity is induced by phenolic ligand−metal charge transfer (LMCT) during the coordination of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with copper phosphate nanosheets (Cu NS). The metal-phenolic nanozyme biointerfaces exhibits scavenging activity against a range of free radicals and facilitated the adhesion, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells, thereby enhancing the osseointegration of implants in diabetic rats. Additionally, the nanozyme coating strategy inhibits bacterial invasion and supports the adhesion of soft tissue cells. This study provides a prospective approach for surface modification to safeguard and enhance the osseointegration of implants in diabetic subjects.