TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs improve ultrasound response: CS/&beta;‑GP/TiO<sub>2</sub> NP hydrogel enabling on‑demand administration

Zhou,Yue; Yao,Yi-Ran; Xu,Yan; Rong,Xin; Qiu,Yue-Feng; Qi,Ting-Yue

doi:10.3892/br.2025.2020

TiO₂ NPs improve ultrasound response: CS/β‑GP/TiO₂ NP hydrogel enabling on‑demand administration

Authors:
- Yue Zhou
- Yi-Ran Yao
- Yan Xu
- Xin Rong
- Yue-Feng Qiu
- Ting-Yue Qi
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Affiliations: Department of Ultrasound, Medical Imaging Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225012, P.R. China, Department of Ultrasound, Medical Imaging Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225012, P.R. China, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, P.R. China
Published online on: June 17, 2025 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2025.2020
Article Number: 142
Copyright: © Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The present study developed a novel injectable, biocompatible, and thermosensitive hydrogel system for ultrasound‑triggered drug release, using a chitosan/sodium β‑glycerophosphate/titanium dioxide nanoparticle (CS/β‑GP/TiO₂ NP) composite. The inclusion of TiO2 NPs aimed to enhance ultrasound sensitivity, enabling precise therapeutic release to targeted tissues. The hydrogels displayed excellent injectability (maximum injection force <6.5 N) and gelled effectively at body temperature. Biocompatibility was confirmed through Cell Counting Kit‑8, LIVE/DEAD, and western blot assays. The present study demonstrated that hydrogels with TiO₂ NPs significantly increased the release rates of sodium fluorescein and bovine serum albumin, affirming the role of TiO₂ NPs as a sensitizer. This establishes the CS/β‑GP/TiO₂ NP hydrogel as a promising system for ultrasound‑responsive drug delivery. Potential applications include drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing, with the system offering controlled and targeted therapy under ultrasound stimulation. Future research will optimize hydrogel properties, assess in vivo performance, and evaluate long‑term stability and effectiveness in clinical settings.

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