Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chitosan and collagen scaffolds have been used as a common carrier material for tissue engineering. However, how to obtain an ideal cell carrier by adjusting the ratio between the two is still an unsolved problem.
OBJECTIVE: To adjust the proportion of collagen and chitosan for complex scaffolds, to detect and compare biological properties of scaffolds prepared at various proportions.
METHODS: Chitosan and type collagen protein were added by ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5. The materials were freeze-dried after UV cross-linking, then neutralized by NaOH and distilled water, followed by additional freeze-drying. The scaffolds at different proportions were observed for the properties, the degradation rate, the porosity, and swelling ratio. The size and distribution of the holes were detected under scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At a fixed proportion of chitosan, there were significant differences in scaffold aperture by the statistical comparison (P < 0.05). The aperture diameter of the scaffold prepared at 1:3 ratio was the largest, (298.0±36.0) μm; the overall porosity was up to 93.9%-97.5%, the increasing ratio of collagen showed less impact on the porosity. The swelling rate reached about 80%, swelling degree of the scaffold was at an inverse proportion with the increase in the proportion of collagen. The degradation rate of the scaffold was increased with the increasing proportion of collagen. The higher chitosan concentration is, the slower degradation is. By means of UV cross-linking method, 1:3 ratio of collagen-chitosan scaffolds is more suitable for cartilage tissue engineering.