Construction and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/polycaprolactone composite scaffolds by 3D printing / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: At present, there are many types of bone defect repair scaffolds, but a single type of material is difficult to meet the requirements of bone tissue engineering scaffold materials. Several suitable materials can be combined into a composite material by appropriate methods, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of various materials. It is the focus of scholars in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To construct nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/polycaprolactone composite scaffolds and analyze characterization of composite scaffolds. METHODS: Nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/polycaprolactone porous ternary composite scaffold material was prepared by 3D printing and molding technology. The characterization of scaffold material was studied from X-ray diffraction analysis, stent water absorption rate, stent compressive strength, stent degradation performance in vitro, stent aperture analysis, scanning electron microscope analysis and other dimensions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystal-shaped peak map of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/ polycaprolactone scaffold materials was similar to the hydroxyapatite powder diffraction standard card, suggesting that the scaffold materials were integrated with each other through physical interaction, and did not affect the biological function of hydroxyapatite. (2) The average water absorption rate of the scaffold was 18.28%, and the hydrophilicity was good. The maximum pressure that the scaffold could withstand was 1 415 N, and the degradation rate was similar to the osteogenic rate. (3) Under a microscope, a ternary scaffold material with an aperture of 250 µm was successfully produced. The pore size was uniform and distributed regularly. (4) Scanning electron microscope demonstrated that the fibers composed of chitosan and polycaprolactone were arranged orderly and grid like, hydroxyapatite was distributed uniformly on the fiber surface in granular form, and the ternary composite material presented uniform and loose microporous structure. (5) Nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/polycaprolactone ternary composite scaffold material can be successfully prepared through 3D printing and molding technology, which has moderate compressive strength, certain porosity, appropriate degradation rate and water absorption rate, and can lay a foundation for repairing bone defects.