Novel Bioactive Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Gelatin-Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Today, porous nanocomposite scaffolds play a key role in tissue engineering approaches and new processing methods and materials are constantly being developed to cater for the wide range of specifications and requirements. In addition, providing a structural support while maintaining bioactivity is one of the most important goals for these scaffolds, i.e. applying bioceramic into polymeric structures, facilitating the formation of functional tissues. In the last few years, hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been widely investigated as scaffolding material, mainly for its ability to bond to both hard and soft tissues. In this research, new bioactive scaffolds were successfully developed using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), cross-linked gelatin and nanoparticles of HAp. After synthesis of nano HAp powder via chemical precipitation technique, the nanocomposites were prepared through layer solvent casting and lamination techniques. According to the obtained results, the amount of ultimate stress, stiffness and elastic modulus increased by addition of PCL. Also, thein vitrobiocompatibility and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were tested using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and cells found to be attached to the scaffold walls.