Work

Bone regeneration in rabbit cranial defects: 3D printed polylactic acid scaffolds gradually enriched with marine bioderived calcium phosphate

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and osteogenic potential of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds enriched with marine bioderived calcium phosphate (bioCaP) for bone tissue engineering.Materials and Methods: PLA-bioCaP composite scaffolds with varying bioCaP concentrations were fabricated using Fused Deposition Modelling. Physicochemical characterization, including surface roughness and mechanical properties, was conducted. In vivo, biocompatibility and osteogenic capacity were assessed using a rabbit calvarial defect model.Results: The scaffolds demonstrated favorable mechanical properties comparable to human cancellous and skull bone. Micro-CT and histomorphometric analysis post-implantation revealed no significant differences in bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular thickness across all groups. However, varying degrees of inflammatory response were observed, with the PLA-12%CaP group showing a slightly higher inflammatory reaction. The addition of bioCaP did not significantly enhance the osteogenic potential of the scaffolds, contrary to expectations.Conclusion: The 3D-printed PLA-bioCaP scaffolds displayed satisfactory mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, the osteogenic capability of the scaffolds was not significantly improved by adding bioCaP. Further research is required to optimize scaffold composition and surface characteristics to enhance their osteogenic potential. This study contributes to understanding PLA-bioCaP composites in bone regeneration, emphasizing the need for functionalization to achieve desired clinical outcomes.Clinical Relevance: The study provides insights into the development of PLA-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, highlighting the challenges and potential strategies for improving their osteogenic capabilities.

Source: Materialia

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2024.102240