Hydroxyapatite‐loaded macroporous calcium alginate hydrogels: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation

Abstract

AbstractHydrogels from natural polysaccharides are of great interest for tissue engineering. This study aims (1) to prepare hydroxyapatite‐loaded macroporous calcium alginate hydrogels by novel one‐step technique using internal gelation in water‐frozen solutions; (2) to evaluate their physicochemical properties; (3) to estimate their ability to support cell growth and proliferation in vitro. The structure of the hydrogel samples in a swollen state was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy and was shown to represent a system of interconnected macropores with sizes of tens micron. The swelling behavior of the hydrogels, their mechanical properties (Young's moduli) in function of a hydroxyapatite content (5–30 mass%) were studied. All hydrogel samples loaded with hydroxyapatite were found to support growth and proliferation of mouse fibroblasts (L929) at long‐term cultivation for 7 days. The obtained macroporous composite Ca‐Alg‐HA hydrogels could be promising for tissue engineering.