Novel three-dimensional scaffolds consisting of nano- and microsized hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) composite were fabricated using a modified rapid-prototyping (RP) technique for bone tissue engineering applications. The size of the nano-HA ranged from 20 to 90 nm, whereas that of the micro-HA ranged from 20 to 80 microm. The scaffold macropores were well interconnected, with a porosity of 72-73% and a pore size of 500 microm. The compressive modulus of the nano-HA/PCL and micro-HA/PCL scaffolds was 3.187 +/- 0.06 and 1.345 +/- 0.05 MPa, respectively. The higher modulus of the nano-HA/PCL composite (n-HPC) was to be likely caused by a dispersion strengthening effect. The attachment and proliferation of MG-63 cells on n-HPC were better than that on the micro-HA/PCL composite (m-HPC) scaffold. The n-HPC was more hydrophilic than the m-HPC because of the greater surface area of HA exposed to the scaffold surface. This may give rise to better cell attachment and proliferation. Bioactive n-HA/PCL composite scaffold prepared using a modified RP technique has a potential application in bone tissue engineering.
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.
Hierarchically mesoporous−giantporous bioactive glass/poly ϵ-caprolactone composite scaffolds with good molding capabilities, mechanical properties, bioactivities, and biocompatibilities in vitro, which may find potential applications in tissue engineering and drug storage, were prepared using a combination of the sol–gel, polymer templating, and rapid prototyping techniques with a heat-controlled blowing system.
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