In vitro evaluation of polycaprolactone‐based structure for guiding segmental bone defect

Abstract

AbstractSegmental bone tissue engineering is a highly effective approach for the repair of large bone defects. In this article, 3D printing was used to fabricate the polycaprolactone (PCL)/NaCl‐based cylindrical structures. The effects of the structure's thickness (L) and NaCl concentration on the mechanical properties, degradability, swelling behavior, porosity, and cytotoxicity of the samples were investigated. Response surface methodology was employed to study the mechanical behavior using the central composite design (CCD). Results showed that increasing the NaCl concentration up to 10% wt significantly improved the degradability, swelling, and hydrophilicity of the structures. It was also indicated that the maximum stiffness of the guide structures under vertical loading was almost five times larger than the horizontal loading direction, but the samples showed greater compressive strength and elongation under horizontal compressive loading. Results indicated that the mechanical properties of the structures were more dependent on the structure thickness so the thicker structures with an 800 μm thickness had better mechanical properties in both vertical and horizontal loading. Cytotoxicity assay also approved the nontoxic effect of the PCL structures on the MC3T3 osteoblast cell line. Based on the results, the PCL‐based structures were a suitable candidate to act as a guide for segmental bone tissue engineering.Highlights A 3D‐printed conduit was manufactured to guide bone reconstruction Response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design (CCD) was employed NaCl concentration and the diameter of strands were the main parameters This 3D‐printed guiding approach is useful for segmental bone tissue engineering