Hierarchically 2D/3D mesoporous-macroporous bioactive glasses (MMBG) with good molding capabilities and compressive modulus were synthesized by sol-gel method and evaporation-induced self-assembly process in the presence of both nonionic triblock copolymers, EO(70)PO(20)EO(70) (P123) or EO(100)PO(65)EO(100) (F127), templates and methyl cellulose template. P123 or F127 acts as both a template, inducing the formation of mesopore, and an effective dispersant of MC, which produces macropores. In vitro bioactivity studies were carried out in simulated body fluid and showed superior bone-forming bioactivities of hierarchical MMBG. Human osteoblastlike cells, MG63, were seeded on MMBG and were determined using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5,-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assay to confirm biocompatibilities of MMBG.
A scaffold of nanofiber wollastonite (nf‐WS) and poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) composite was fabricated, and the morphology, degradation, and cellular response to the scaffold were investigated. The results indicate that the composite scaffold contained open and interconnected pores ranging in size from 400 to 500 μm and exhibited a porosity of around 80%, as well as degradation of the scaffold in phosphate‐buffered saline. MTT tests demonstrated that MG63 cell proliferation was greater on the composite scaffold than on PCL alone at 4 and 7 days of culture. Moreover, the level of alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells cultured on the composite scaffold was higher than that in cells grown on PCL alone at 7 days, and scanning electron microscopy revealed significant osteoblast‐like adhesion and ingrowth into the composite scaffold. Elevated levels of calcium (Ca) and silicon (Si) were detected in the culture medium during cell culture, and the continuous dissolution of nf‐WS produced a Ca‐ and Si‐rich environment that might stimulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. The composite scaffold was bioactive, as indicated by the formation of an apatite layer on the scaffold surface after immersion in cell medium.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.