RESUMEN
A wide range of materials and scaffolding fabrication methods for bone tissue engineering have been explored recently. Fiber reinforced polymers [FRP] system appears to be a suitable system. By the exclusive use of biocompatible or bio-absorbable polymers and fibers, novel generation of scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering can be prepared. Mulberry Silk as highlighted natural fiber with its specific economic, mechanical and biological properties has been used for fabrication FRP scaffolds. In this study FRP scaffolds prepared by a combination of silk fibroin polymer, which is another configuration of silk fibers as a porous matrix and silk fibers as the reinforcement element. FRP scaffolds have been fabricated by the freeze-drying method. Microstructure has been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the results show an integrative structure. Mechanical properties have been evaluated by universal testing machine. Compressive mechanical modules as well as strength of FRP scaffolds increased about three times in magnitude in comparison with pure fibroin scaffolds. FRP scaffolds had a compressive module of -3.6 MPa. Osteoblast viability and attachment on FRP scaffolds were investigated in vitro by MTT assay, which showed no cytotoxic response. Additionally, based on SEM results it is concluded that FRP scaffolds provide a good environment for osteoblast attachment
RESUMEN
One of the major issues in bone tissue engineering is the design and fabrication of bioactive, bioresorbable porous 3D scaffolds capable of maintaining their structure and integrity over a predictable period of time. One such approach is the fabrication of composite scaffolds. In this study we present fabrication and characterization of novel silk/bioglasscomposite scaffolds. Regenerated fibroin was constructed from mulberry silk cocoons and calcium silicophosphate bioactive glass was made by sol-gel processing. For fabrication of a homogenous composite, grained bioglass particles were modified with 3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane coating. Fibroin/bioglass composite scaffolds were fabricated by the freeze-dry technique at different concentrations. Silk protein extract was evaluated by FTIR and XRD methods. FTIR spectrum showed sharp amide peaks at 1655 cm-1 and 1530 cm-1 wave lengths, which confirmed the existence of fibroin. XPS analysis demonstrated that the amino groups were established on the surface of the glass powder. The fabricated 3D scaffolds were morphologically analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, which showed uniformly dispersed bioglass particles in all structures. Scaffolds were seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells for 21 days. Considering the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds and osteogenic differentiation during three weeks, it could be concluded that the appropriate combination of structural and biological properties make the silk/bioglass composite scaffold a probable choice for potential use in bone tissue engineering