Preparation, Characterization and Biological Studies of Β-TCP and Β-TCP/Al2O3 Scaffolds Obtained by Gel-Casting of Foams

Author(s)

Lilian Siqueira ^[1] ; Cynthia Guimarães de Paula ^[2] ; Mariana Motisuke ^[3] ; Rubia Figueredo Gouveia ^[4] ; Samira Esteves Afonso Camargo ^[5] ; Noala Vicensoto Moreira Milhan ^[6] ; Eliandra de Sousa Trichês ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Science and Technology Institute. Bioceramics Laboratory - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Science and Technology Institute. Bioceramics Laboratory - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Science and Technology Institute. Bioceramics Laboratory - Brasil

^[4] Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais. Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". School of Dentistry. Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". School of Dentistry. Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis - Brasil

^[7] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Science and Technology Institute. Bioceramics Laboratory - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS; v. 20, n. 4, p. 973-983, 2017-05-22.

Abstract

Replacement tissues for tissue engineering can be produced by seeding human cells onto scaffolds. In order to guarantee adequate bio-compatibility, porosity and mechanical resistance for promoting cellular growth, proliferation and differentiation within scaffold structures, it is necessary to investigate and improve materials and processing routes. β-tricalcium phosphate can be considered a very suitable bio-ceramic material for bone therapy because of its biocompatibility, osteo-conductivity and neo-vascularization potential. Alumina is commonly used as a sintering additive. In this study, β-TCP and β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds were obtained by gel-casting method. The scaffolds showed high porosity (86-88%) and pore sizes ranging from 200 to 500 µm. Even though alumina did not promote improvement in β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds in terms of mechanical performance, they showed great cytocompatibility as there was no cytotoxic and genotoxic effect. Therefore, β-TCP and β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds are good candidates for application in tissue engineering. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00863-0 - Processing and characterization of B-TCP/Al2O3 nanostructured scaffolds for biomedical applications
• Grantee: Eliandra de Sousa Trichês
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants