Fabrication and characterization of β-TCP/Zn-1Mg composite scaffolds for orthopedic applications

Abstract

Bone tissue defects have emerged as a significant health concern, impacting individuals' overall well-being and daily functionality. The implantation of scaffold materials for bone repair is crucial to structurally replace the damaged bone area, providing essential mechanical support and fulfilling other functional requirements. In this study, in order to develop bone repair scaffold materials with enhanced mechanical properties, moderate corrosion behavior, favorable cytocompatibility, and notable antibacterial activity, xβ-TCP/Zn-1Mg composite scaffolds with varying β-TCP concentrations (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 3) were fabricated using an atmospheric pressure infiltration molding method. The resulting scaffolds featured interconnected and uniformly distributed pores, with an average pore size of approximately 250 μm and a porosity of around 60 %. The xβ-TCP/Zn-1Mg composite scaffolds exhibited a plateau stress ranging from 13.22 to 16.89 MPa and an elastic modulus between 0.62 and 0.82 GPa, closely resembling the mechanical properties of human cancellous bone. The incorporation of β-TCP accelerated the degradation process and promoted calcium phosphate deposition on the specimen's surface. Additionally, the β-TCP/Zn-1Mg composite scaffolds demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Furthermore, 2-fold diluted extracts derived from xβ-TCP/Zn-1Mg composite scaffolds were found to enhance the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells, indicating good cytocompatibility. Therefore, the xβ-TCP/Zn-1Mg scaffold materials hold promise as a compelling candidate for orthopedic applications.