IADR Abstract Archives
Prolonged Release of Calcium Through PCL/β-TCP 3D-Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration
Objectives: Bone defects grafting materials require peculiar characteristics. Features as biodegradation, surface topography, porosity, interconnectivity and resistance play a key role in the clinical performance of the biomaterial. Poly-E-caprolactone (PCL) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) are among the most studied materials. The objective of this study is to optimize printable PCL/β-TCP composite biomaterials with balanced porosity and specifically designed internal architecture to resemble human cancellous bone, maintaining optimal mechanical strength and eliciting positive cellular responses. Moreover, the use of β-TCP incorporated into the PCL matrix allows a lengthened release of calcium ions, useful for bone cells stimulation.
Methods: Medical grade PCL and β-TCP have been used to produce PCL/β-TCP scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. After the creation of filaments with different relative ratios of PCL/β-TCP (100/0, 60/40 and 30/70), 3D scaffolds have been printed with fused deposition modeling with a ad-hoc designed internal architecture. Materials morphology was observed through micro-computed tomography, as well as their cytocompatibility responses by direct and indirect contact cytotoxicity tests, cell adhesion and morphology analysis. Additionally, 3D cells colonization pattern was assessed.
Results: All the composite materials and their ad-hoc printing protocols produced optimally printed samples. Micro-computed tomography (Fig.1c) showed a well-defined internal architecture, consisting with the projected parameters - which resembles in thickness and porosity the interconnectivity of trabecular bone. The internal structure showed an average wall thickness of about 250µm which is analogous to native osteons dimensions. All the tested materials showed high biocompatibility and null toxicity, with an enhanced cellular proliferation on the composite samples. SEM images underlined a granular surface morphology and an optimal osteoblastic adhesion preferentially over the β-TCP granules peaks of the material.
Conclusions: The PCL/β-TCP composite materials showed good printing properties. Cells responses were positive, showing that our PCL/β-TCP composite materials are an optimal candidate for bone regenerative applications.
Methods: Medical grade PCL and β-TCP have been used to produce PCL/β-TCP scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. After the creation of filaments with different relative ratios of PCL/β-TCP (100/0, 60/40 and 30/70), 3D scaffolds have been printed with fused deposition modeling with a ad-hoc designed internal architecture. Materials morphology was observed through micro-computed tomography, as well as their cytocompatibility responses by direct and indirect contact cytotoxicity tests, cell adhesion and morphology analysis. Additionally, 3D cells colonization pattern was assessed.
Results: All the composite materials and their ad-hoc printing protocols produced optimally printed samples. Micro-computed tomography (Fig.1c) showed a well-defined internal architecture, consisting with the projected parameters - which resembles in thickness and porosity the interconnectivity of trabecular bone. The internal structure showed an average wall thickness of about 250µm which is analogous to native osteons dimensions. All the tested materials showed high biocompatibility and null toxicity, with an enhanced cellular proliferation on the composite samples. SEM images underlined a granular surface morphology and an optimal osteoblastic adhesion preferentially over the β-TCP granules peaks of the material.
Conclusions: The PCL/β-TCP composite materials showed good printing properties. Cells responses were positive, showing that our PCL/β-TCP composite materials are an optimal candidate for bone regenerative applications.