Fabrication, morphological, mechanical and biological performance of 3D printed poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/bioglass composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Several techniques, such as additive manufacturing, have been used for the manufacture of polymer-ceramic composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. A new extruder head recently developed for improving the manufacturing process is an experimental 3D printer Fab@CTI that enables the use of ceramic powders in the processing of composite materials or polymer blends. Still, the manufacturing process needs improvement to promotes the dispersion of ceramic particles in the polymer matrix. This article addresses the manufacture of scaffolds by 3D printing from mixtures of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and a glass powder of same composition of 45S5Bioglass®, labeled as synthesized bioglass (SBG), according to two different methods that investigated the efficiency of the new extruder head. The first one is a single extrusion process in a Fab@CTI 3D printer, and the other consists in the pre-processing of the PCL-SBG mixture in a mono-screw extruder with a Maddock® element, followed by direct extrusion in the experimental Fab@CTI 3D printer. The morphological characterization of the extruded samples by SEM showed an architecture of 0o/90o interconnected struts and suitable porosity for bone tissue engineering applications. Scaffolds fabricated by two methods shows compressive modulus ranging from 54.4 ± 14.2 MPa to 155.9 ± 20.4 MPa, results that are compatible to use in bone tissue engineering. Cytotoxicity assays showed non-toxic effects and viability for in vitro MG-63 cell proliferation. Alizarin Red staining test showed calcium deposition in all scaffolds, which suggests PCL/SBG composites promising candidates for use in bone tissue engineering. Results of cell morphology suggest more cell growth and adhesion for scaffolds fabricated using the pre-processing in a mono-screw extruder.

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“…In vitro study on MC3T3 osteoblast cells revealed that the resultant hydrogel supports differentiation of cells thus concluded to be a promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering [ 134 ]. Recently Barbosa et al [ 135 ] developed scaffolds by 3D printing using mixtures of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and 45S5 Bioglass ®® , labeled as synthesised bioglass (SBG). The scaffolds achieved a compression modulus range from 54.4 ± 14.2 to 155.9 ± 20.4 MPa, which is within the range of compression modulus required for bone tissue engineering.…”