Fabrication and properties of calcium polyphosphate fiber/gelatin composite for cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the scaffold for tissue engineering have low properties of physical mechanics, poor biocompatibility and has not free regulating degradation as matrix materials.OBJECTIVE: To develop a composite of scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering with higher porosity and good mechanical characteristic, biocompatibility and free regulating degradation as matrix materials.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This experiment was conducted at the Research Institute of Engineering Materials, Lanzhou Jiaotong University from June 2006 to June 2008.MATERIALS: Gelatin, calcium polyphosphate fiber (diameter 10-20 μm) and rosin (size: 355-450μm) were used in the present study.METHODS: Calcium polyphosphate fiber was selected as reinforced materials and gelatin as matrix materials. The calcium polyphosphate/gelatin composite of the scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering were fabricated with a solvent-casting,particulate-leaching method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The microstructures, properties of physical mechanics and degradation were tested.RESULTS: ①Microcosmic observation: The composites had the 3-D, connectivity network microstructures. ②Physical and mechanical properties of scaffold composite: The experimental value of calcium polyphosphate/gelatin composite of the scaffold was consistent with calculated value. Experimental value of porosity was 60%-80%, meeting the requirement of porosity of tissue engineering scaffold composite. The compress modulus of scaffold would be increased with the crossllnkage increasing; ③The degradable rate of the scaffolds composites deteriorated quickly during 0-2 weeks, and slowly after 2 weeks and reduced with increased crosslinkage; the degradable liquid pH value was maintained between 5 and 7.CONCLUSION: The mechanical property and biodegradable property of calcium polyphosphate/gelatin composite can meet the demand of cartilage tissue engineering. This composite might be one of cartilage scaffold materials for cartilage tissue engineering with potentially broad applicability.