Chitosan-Based High-Intensity Modification of the Biodegradable Substitutes for Cancellous Bone

Abstract

An innovative approach to treating bone defects is using synthetic bone substitutes made of biomaterials. The proposed method to obtain polylactide scaffolds using the phase inversion technique with a freeze extraction variant enables the production of substitutes with morphology similar to cancellous bone (pore size 100–400 µm, open porosity 94%). The high absorbability of the implants will enable their use as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) carriers in future medical devices. Surface modification by dipping enabled the deposition of the hydrophilic chitosan (CS) layer, maintaining good bone tissue properties and high absorbability (850% dry weight). Introducing CS increases surface roughness and causes local changes in surface free energy, promoting bone cell adhesion. Through this research, we have developed a new and original method of low-temperature modification of PLA substitutes with chitosan. This method uses non-toxic reagents that do not cause changes in the structure of the PLA matrix. The obtained bone substitutes are characterised by exceptionally high hydrophilicity and morphology similar to spongy bone. In vitro studies were performed to analyse the effect of morphology and chitosan on cellular viability. Substitutes with properties similar to those of cancellous bone and which promote bone cell growth were obtained.