Abstract
Magnetic biomimetic scaffolds of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and nanoparticles of magnetite (nFe3O4) are prepared in a wide ratio of compositions by lyophilization for bone regeneration. The magnetic properties, cytotoxicity, and the in vitro degradation of these porous materials are closely studied. The addition of magnetite at 50 °C was found to produce an interaction reaction between the ester groups of the PLLA and the metallic cations of the magnetite, causing the formation of complexes. This fact was confirmed by the analysis of the infrared spectroscopy and the gel permeation chromatography test results. They, respectively, showed a displacement of the absorption bands of the carbonyl group (C=O) of the PLLA and a scission of the polymer chains. The iron from the magnetite acted as a catalyser of the macromolecular scission reaction, which determines the final biomedical applications of the scaffolds—it does so because the reaction shortens the degradation process without appearing to influence its toxicity. None of the samples studied in the tests presented cytotoxicity, even at 70% magnetite concentrations.
Highlights
Over the past decade, the use of porous matrices in tissue engineering has assumed great importance and, when combined with magnetic materials, they are the subject of in-depth research into their properties
Some authors [19,20] have studied the presence of bio-active particles, such as bioglass, SiO2, and nHA, but we are unable to find other reports in the literature of magnetite bonded to the porous matrices that causes a scission of the macromolecular chains and its effects on cytotoxicity, magnetism, and in vitro degradation, and possible biomedical applications
The sample cytotoxicity is an essential parameter for the scaffold to be used in tissue engineering applications
Summary
The use of porous matrices in tissue engineering has assumed great importance and, when combined with magnetic materials, they are the subject of in-depth research into their properties. Stimulation from an external magnetic field improves the permeability of the cellular membrane, regulates the concentration of calcium ions, and activates channels of cellular signaling, resulting in greater cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and an acceleration of bone regeneration [9,11,12]. To obtain magnetic forces from external fields, magnetic nanoparticles must be added to the porous matrices so that they become magnetic, producing osteoconduction through external magnetic fields For this reason, the study of magnetically charged scaffolds is of great interest in matters of bones. Some authors [19,20] have studied the presence of bio-active particles, such as bioglass, SiO2, and nHA, but we are unable to find other reports in the literature of magnetite bonded to the porous matrices that causes a scission of the macromolecular chains and its effects on cytotoxicity, magnetism, and in vitro degradation, and possible biomedical applications
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