DEVELOPMENT OF OTOLITHS-INCORPORATED SODIUM ALGINATE AND GELATIN-BASED SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE REGENERATION APPLICATIONS

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> To develop scaffolds based on gelatin and sodium alginate containing otoliths from <i>Cynoscion acoupa</i> for bone repair applications. <h3>Study Design</h3> Otoliths were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and particle size. The scaffolds were produced by freeze-drying. The otoliths were incorporated into the polymeric scaffolds (AlgOTL and GelOTL) and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG)-differential themogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), spectroscopy in the infrared region (Fourier transform infrared [FTIR]), swelling, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biomaterials' cytotoxicity was analyzed in macrophage lines J774.G8 and osteoblasts MC3T3-E1. <h3>Results</h3> TGA/DTG, DSC, and FTIR analysis suggested proper otolith incorporation into the polymeric matrices. SEM demonstrated the porous homogeneous 3D structure of the scaffold, and the presence of homogeneously distributed otolith-derived crystalloids over the materials' surface. The GEL/OTL swelling (63.54 ± 3.0%) was greater than ALG/OTL (13.36 ± 9.9%; <i>P</i> < .001). The viability of J774.G8 macrophages treated with GELATINBASED/OTOLITHS (GEL/OTL) and SODIUM ALGINATE/OTOLITHS (ALG/OTL) was statistically similar to the control group (<i>P</i> > 0.05). However, the MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts growth rate after 48 hours was significantly higher in ALG/OTL than in GEL/OTL (<i>P</i> < 0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The ALG/OTL scaffold is a potential biomaterial to be used in further bone regeneration research.