Starch-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and starch-poly(lactic acid) fibre-mesh scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications: structure, mechanical properties and degradation behaviour

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Gomes, ME (Author) Other; Azevedo, HS (Author) Other; Moreira, AR (Author) Other; Ella, V (Author) Other; Kellomaki, M (Author) Other; Rui Reis (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Vol. 2

Pages: 243-252

ISSN: 1932-6254

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 120 Citations

Scopus - 133 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-Y7T

DOI: 10.1002/term.89

Abstract (EN): In scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies, the successful regeneration of tissues from matrix.. producing connective tissue cells or anchorage-dependent cells (e.g. osteoblasts) relies on the use of a suitable scaffold. This study describes the development and characterization of SPCL (starch with e-polycaprolactone, 30: 70%) and SPLA [starch with poly(lactic acid), 30: 70%] fibre-meshes,, aimed at application in bone tissue-engineering strategies. Scaffolds based on SPCL and SPLA were prepared from fibres obtained by melt-spinning by a fibre-bonding process. The porosity of the scaffolds was characterized by microcomputerized tomography (mu CT) and scanning electron, microscopy (SEM). Scaffold degradation behaviour was assessed in solutions containing hydrolytic enzymes (alpha-amylase and lipase) in physiological concentrations, in order to simulate in vivo conditions. Mechanical properties were also evaluated in compression tests. The results show that these scaffolds exhibit adequate porosity and mechanical properties to support cell adhesion and proliferation and also tissue ingrowth upon implantation of the construct. The results of the degradation studies showed that these starch-based scaffolds are susceptible to enzymatic degradation, as detected by increased weight loss (within 2 weeks, weight loss in the SPCL samples; reached 20%). With increasing degradation time, the diameter of the SPCL and SPLA fibres: decreases significantly, increasing the porosity and consequently the available space for cells and. tissue ingrowth during implantation time. These results, in combination with previous cell culture studies showing the ability of these scaffolds to induce cell adhesion and proliferation, clearly demonstrate the potential of these scaffolds to be used in tissue engineering strategies to regenerate bone tissue defects. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10