Fabrication and properties of βTCP/Zeolite/Gelatin scaffold as developed scaffold in bone regeneration: in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

Synthetic scaffolds, as an alternative to allograft and xenograft scaffolds, are suitable for bone regeneration. This study aimed to synthesize a composite biomaterial of zeolite and beta-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP) to obtain a biocompatible material with physical and mechanical properties in bone regeneration. One scaffold without zeolite (βZG 0) and two scaffolds with different amounts of zeolite (βZG 1 and βZG 2) were synthesized. The scaffolds were evaluated by FTIR, XRD, compressive strength test, MTT assay, and radiographic and histological analyses. The XRD results confirmed the presence of βTCP and ZSM-5 phases in the composite scaffolds and also, indicated that the addition of gelatin decrease the crystallinity of composite scaffolds. FTIR revealed the gelatin, β-TCP and ZSM-5 functional groups in the composite structure. βZG 2 group had the maximum porosity among the scaffolds (74%) ranging in size from 61-600 µm. Compressive strength test showed that the Young’s modulus changed from 23 MPa to 59 MPa, and the zeolite nanostructure was the most influential factor responsible for this change. The MTT assay showed the superiority of βZG 2, and the macroscopic and microscopic results at 4, 8, and 12 weeks revealed the maximum bone regeneration and formation of bone trabeculae in the βZG 2 and βZG 1 groups, respectively. The zeolite scaffold showed the superior mechanical, radiographic and histological properties compared with the control and non-zeolite scaffold. βTCP/ Zeolite/ Gelatin scaffold can be an appropriate candidate for medical application in bone regeneration.