Silk fibroin/chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite complicated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin, chitosan, and nano hydroxyapatite are natural materials, and they al have good biological activity and physical or chemical properties. As tissue engineering materials, they have been already widely used in clinic or research work, but there are some defects in the application of these three kinds of materials. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the preparation and characteristics of silk fibroin/chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite complicated scaffolds which could be used in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:Silk fibroin, chitosan, and nano hydroxyapatite were separately prepared into 2%solution, and then mixed at the ratio of 1:1:0.5, 1:1:1, 1:1:1.5 respectively. The three-dimensional complicated scaffolds were prepared by those mixed liquids through repeated freeze drying and chemical crosslinking technology. Scanning electron microscope was used to detect the pore size of the scaffolds. Porosity, water absorption rate, and hot-water loss rate were determined. Mechanical tester was used to measure the tensile and compressive modulus of dried three-dimensional scaffolds. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The silk fibroin/chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite complicated scaffold in the dry state had no special smel , appeared to be a stabilized solid cylinder, and exhibited clear resiliency and flexibility with a touch. With the increased content of nano hydroxyapatite, the porosity, water absorption rate and average pore size of the scaffolds appeared to be decreased, while the hot-water loss rate and compressive strength were increased. The scaffold prepared at 1:1:1 was better for bone tissue engineering, and the average pore size, water absorption rate and hot-water loss rate were 85.67 μm, (135.65±4.56)%and (22.84±1.06)%, respectively, closer to the needs of the bone tissue engineering. Uniform pores were found within the scaffold at 1:1:1, showing the network structure, developed transport among pores, and the network structure was approximately 10μm.