Abstract
Our research was designed to evaluate the effect on bone regeneration with 3-dimensional (3D) printed polylactic acid (PLA) and 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, determine the more effective option for enhancing bone regeneration, and offer tentative evidence for further research and clinical application. Employing the 3D printing technique, the PLA and PCL scaffolds showed similar morphologies, as confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical strength was significantly higher in the PLA group (63.4 MPa) than in the PCL group (29.1 MPa) (p < 0.01). Average porosity, swelling ratio, and degeneration rate in the PCL scaffold were higher than those in the PLA scaffold. SEM observation after cell coculture showed improved cell attachment and activity in the PCL scaffolds. A functional study revealed the best outcome in the 3D printed PCL-TGF-β1 scaffold compared with the 3D printed PCL and the 3D printed PCL-Polydopamine (PDA) scaffold (p < 0.001). As confirmed via SEM, the 3D printed PCL- transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) scaffold also exhibited improved cell adhesion after 6 h of cell coculture. The 3D printed PCL scaffold showed better physical properties and biocompatibility than the 3D printed PLA scaffold. Based on the data of TGF-β1, this study confirms that the 3D printed PCL scaffold may offer stronger osteogenesis.
Highlights
The demand for bone graft materials is increasing significantly [1]
We developed 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) and PCL scaffolds with similar shapes (Figure 1)
In the 3D printed PCL scaffold, based on physical evaluation, we found that the pore size was approximately 682 μm, the porosity was up to 93.5%, and the mechanical strength was less than that of the 3D printed PLA scaffold
Summary
The demand for bone graft materials is increasing significantly [1]. Research on several forms of bone substitutes has been ongoing for years concerning the repair of defects [2,3,4]. The technique of AM can be applied for production using other optimized methods in design and prototyping including ideal support, ideal topology and options of partial consolidation and partial orientation [8]. The benefits of 3D printed frameworks are designable porosity, structure pore shape, and morphology, as compared with conventional procedures [12]. Custom-made transplants can be made with precisely designed constructions according to the 3D image data of patients, which offers great superiority over traditional procedures for manufacturing 3D porous scaffolds, such as salt-leaching/ solvent-casting, air jet spinning, gas foaming, and electrospinning techniques [13,14,15,16]. Current 3D printing procedures offer opportunities for better conventional bone substitutes, providing sufficient pore interconnection, pore shape, and optimal porosity [17]
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