In-Vitro Degradation Behaviors of Composite Scaffolds Based on Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide-co-ε-Caprolactone), 1,4-Butanediamine Modified Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) and Bioceramics

Abstract

In this work a novel type of composite scaffolds based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLLGC), 1,4-butanediamine modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (BMPLGA), nanobioactive glass (NBAG) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were fabricated by using a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. The in-vitro degradation behaviors were investigated by immersing the scaffolds in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH = 7.27) solution at 37 °C for 40 days. The properties, including the PBS pH value change and the water uptake, mass loss and morphology changes of the composite scaffolds, were investigated by comparing with pure PLLGC/BMPLGA scaffolds. The introduction of NBAG and β-TCP nanoparticles decreased the degradation rate of the PLLGC/BMPLGA matrix and improved the wetting behavior. The decrease in the degradation rate of the composite scaffolds correlated well with the results obtained from mass loss, water uptake and pH measurements. The degradation rate of the PLLGC/BMPLGA polymer in the composite scaffolds decreased as a result of the alkaline effect of the NBAG and β-TCP particles, with the OH- ions formed neutralizing acidic polymeric degradation products and binding the H+ ions from the tissue fluids.