A novel cellulose – hydroxyapatite scaffold for bone tissue regeneration

Abstract

Background: Nowadays much attention is focused on polymerceramic three-dimensional scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration in defect site. For a successful performance the ideal scaffold should be a 3D interconnected porous structure able to promote cell adhesion, proliferation and vascularisation, while enabling a controlled supply of bioactive substances that might influence the behaviour of incorporated or ingrown cells. Aim: To investigate a novel cellulose-based porous composites with hydroxyapatite for the bone scaffold. Methods: The composites were fabricated by saponification of diacetylcellulose adding hydroxyapatite. After the reaction the obtained gel of regenerated cellulose was homogeneously immobilized with hydroxyapatite. In order to create suitable matrix the composites were freeze-dried. Results: It was found out that the conditions of lyophilisation highly influenced the morphology of the matrix. The porosity of the scaffolds was up to 75% with pores of different sizes up to 770 lm. The results of bioactivity test in vitro showed that bone-like apatite appeared onto the surface after 7 days of immersion in simulated body fluid. Furthermore, the behaviour of MG-63 human osteoblastic-cells on investigated cellulose matrix was examined. It was found that the scaffolds are not cytotoxic and induce the growth of the cells. Conclusions and clinical implications: From the obtained results it could be concluded that prepared scaffolds have a great potential for bone tissue ingrowth in vivo. Attained results substantiate the suitable application of cellulose/hydroxyapatite scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications.