Porous polylactide/β-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Porous polylactide/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PLA/beta-TCP) composite scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying. The aim of this study was to characterize these graded porous composite scaffolds in two different PLA concentrations (2 and 3 wt%). Also, three different beta-TCP ratios (5, 10 and 20 wt%) were used to study the effect of beta-TCP on the properties of the polymer. The characterization was carried out by determining the pH, weight change, component ratios, thermal stability, inherent viscosity and microstructure of the scaffolds in 26 weeks of hydrolysis. This study indicated that no considerable change was noticed in the structure of the scaffolds when the beta-TCP filler was added. Also, the amount of beta-TCP did not affect the pore size or the pore distribution in the scaffolds. We observed that the fabrication method improved the thermal stability of the samples. Our results suggest that, from the structural point of view, these scaffolds could have potential for the treatment of osteochondral defects in tissue engineering applications. The porous bottom surface of the scaffold and the increased osteogenic differentiation potential achieved with beta-TCP particles may encourage the growth of bone cells. In addition, the dense surface skin of the scaffold may inhibit the ingrowth of osteoblasts and bone tissue, while simultaneously encouraging the ingrowth of chondrocytes.

Biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials based on calcium orthophosphates

“…Porous β-TCP/ alginate-gelatin hybrid scaffolds that were cell-compatible and possessing some osteoinductive properties were aso prepared and successfully tested in vitro. 471 Biocomposites of β-TCP with PLLA [462][463][464] and PLGC 465 were prepared as well. Although β-TCP was able to counter the acidic degradation of the polyester to some extent, it did not prevent a pH drop down to ~6.…”

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun polylactide/β-tricalcium phosphate hybrid meshes for potential applications in hard tissue repair

“…Both dense and porous composites based on β-TCP have been demonstrated to show excellent performance in the physiological environment and possess several advantages over other calcium phosphates especially with regard to bioresorption [31][32][33][34][35][36]. In contrast only a few papers have been published on the fabrication of electrospun biodegradable hybrid fiber meshes containing β-TCP as inorganic component.…”

Degradation and osteogenic potential of a novel poly(lactic acid)/nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold

“…It remains controversial whether β-TCP can buffer acid products. Haaparanta et al 23 fabricated PLA/β-TCP scaffolds using a similar method to ours: they studied composite scaffolds containing 5, 10, and 20 wt% of mβ-TCP, and they reported that there was no significant buffering effect of β-TCP on the pH of the degradation medium in all groups. However, many studies, including the present study, have shown a pH buffering effect of β-TCP in PLA composite materials.…”