3D calcium silicophosphate porous scaffold: In vitro and in vivo response

Abstract

The elderly population (65 years and older) is expected to increase from 524 million people in 2010 to 1.5 billion by 2050, with the corresponding increase in bone-related and joint damage problems. Many of these problems can be solved by using scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration, and material selection is a critical step to obtain satisfactory results. This selection is crucial for the cell division process, cell-cell communication pathways, nutrient transport and osteogenic differentiation. In this study, we designed a tridimensional porous ceramic scaffold composed of 85 wt%C2S - 15 wt%TCP by the polymer sponge replica method combined with ceramic slurry, and we analyzed its biocompatibility and osteoinductive capacity by in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro tests showed good biocompatibility because the cells that were seeded over the biomaterial had spread over the entire surface. The in vivo results showed no cytotoxicity signs at the implant site, and the percentages of defect closure and residual biomaterial, and the resorption rate, were adequate. All these results demonstrate that 85 wt %C2S - 15 wt%TCP bioceramics can be taken as potential bone substitutes to be employed for a range of medical applications.