Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has similar water content as human tissues, good biocompatibility and high mechanical strength, thereby being utilized as tissue-engineered matrix material. However, the modification in cellular affinity benefits the function as tissue regeneration scaffold materials.
OBJECTIVE: To prepare chitosan (CS) / PVA composite scaffold and explore the feasibility of serving as a scaffold for tissue engineering.
METHODS: Scaffolds of CS/PVA was fabricated by blending PVA-124 with various amounts of CS using film forming, particle forming, and free-drying methods. Water content, light transmittance, and swelling ratio were tested. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the configuration of the cross section.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 7 different proportional scaffolds were obtained with different PVA and CS dosage. The composite film showed light transmittance between 70%-80%, high water content between 121.2%-162.5% and swelling ratio between 60.3%-133.7%.Composite particle and sponge obtained water content between 82.0%-461.2% and 280.8%- 1 939.0%. Composite scaffold with the amount ratio of PVA 0.75 g/CS 0.15 g exhibited the best performance. Scanning electron microscope showed that at a mass ratio of PVA 0.75 g/CS 0.15 g, the scaffold prepared by freeze-drying method had regular, fluffy inner structure, with good mechanics and high water content.