3D printing of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds modified with bioglass for bone regeneration

• Grant number: 22/03811-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme de Siqueira Ferreira Anzaloni Saavedra
• Grantee: Ana Beatriz Gomes de Carvalho
• Supervisor: Marco Cicero Bottino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Michigan, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/07693-5 - Fatigue survival of bilaminated bioinspired crowns: an in vitro study, BP.DR

Abstract

The aim of this study is to fabricate by 3D printing technique a resorbable polymeric scaffold based on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) associated with polycaprolactone (PCL) and recovered with a bioglass ion modified, which can be used for bone tissue regeneration. PLLA and PCL polymers will be used to produce a 3D printed scaffold, which will be improved with a bioglass (BG) derived from 45S5 and a new bioglass modified with two different ions (Sr2+, Co2+). Three groups will be considered: PLLA/PCL/BG45S5, PLLA/PCL/BGSr and PLLA/PCL/BGCo. Both BG and scaffolds will be printed by a Bioplotter 3D printer. After that, the scaffolds will be submitted to characterization tests, such as x-ray diffraction (DRX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and RAMAN spectroscopy to evaluate the structural characteristics. Thus, compressive strength test will be performed in the scaffolds to determine its mechanical properties. Biological analysis will also be performed, as cell viability (cytotoxicity); total protein; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; and quantification of nodular formations of mineralized matrix. For statistical analysis, t-student test or one-way ANOVA will be performed to analyze the results. (AU)