The Influence of Calcium Glycerophosphate (GPCa) Modifier on Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Biological Performance of Polyurethanes Applicable as Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Scaffolds Fabrication.

Justyna Kucińska-Lipka,Khrystyna Malysheva,Iga Gubanska,Jakub Karczewski,Marcin Kostrzewa,Damian Włodarczyk,Damian Włodarczyk,Helena Janik,Olexandr Korchynskyi,Olexandr Korchynskyi

doi:10.3390/polym9080329

Abstract

In this paper we describe the synthesis of poly(ester ether urethane)s (PEEURs) by using selected raw materials to reach a biocompatible polyurethane (PU) for biomedical applications. PEEURs were synthesized by using aliphatic 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), α,ω-dihydroxy(ethylene-butylene adipate) (Polios), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as a chain extender and calcium glycerolphosphate salt (GPCa) as a modifier used to stimulate bone tissue regeneration. The obtained unmodified (PURs) and modified with GPCa (PURs-M) PEEURs were studied by various techniques. It was confirmed that urethane prepolymer reacts with GPCa modifier. Further analysis of the obtained PURs and PURs-M by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy revealed the chemical composition typical for PUs by the confirmed presence of urethane bonds. Moreover, the FTIR and Raman spectra indicated that GPCa was incorporated into the main PU chain at least at one-side. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the PURs-M surface was in good agreement with the FTIR and Raman analysis due to the fact that inclusions were observed only at 20% of its surface, which were related to the non-reacted GPCa enclosed in the PUR matrix as filler. Further studies of hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, short term-interactions, and calcification study lead to the final conclusion that the obtained PURs-M may by suitable candidate material for further scaffold fabrication. Scaffolds were prepared by the solvent casting/particulate leaching technique (SC/PL) combined with thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS). Such porous scaffolds had satisfactory pore sizes (36–100 μm) and porosity (77–82%) so as to be considered as suitable templates for bone tissue regeneration.

Highlights

Tissue scaffolds, designed for tissues regeneration, are three-dimensional porous structures, which serve as biological tissue substitutes that enable the functional performance of the regenerated tissue to be restored, maintained or improved [1]
In this paper we described the synthesis of poly(ester ether urethane)s (PEEURs) carried out with the use of selected raw materials such as aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), polyester (Polios,) and polyether (PEG) polyols, with BDO chain extender to reach the requirements of biocompatible biomaterials for medical applications
In this paper we reported the synthesis and characteristic of PEEURs, obtained by using raw materials (HDI, Polios, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and BDO), selected to reach high biocompatibility of the materials

Summary

Introduction

Tissue scaffolds, designed for tissues regeneration, are three-dimensional porous structures, which serve as biological tissue substitutes that enable the functional performance of the regenerated tissue to be restored, maintained or improved [1]. Biomaterials used for the purpose of tissue engineering (TE) have to meet strict requirements such as biocompatibility. These materials may reveal some bioactive behavior, which could stimulate proper tissue regeneration [6]. In addition the gradual degradation of the scaffold is necessary for proper tissue restoration [7,8]. In order to meet the requirements of an ideal tissue scaffold material and to combine the best mechanical properties with bioactivity and ability to degrade in the human body environment, new composite materials, which are the combination of polymers with different types of fillers, are being developed [1,8]

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