Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/chitosan fiber composite scaffold could enhance the mechanical property of the scaffold, buffer the acid product of PLLA degradation, improve the biocompatibility, thus meeting the requirement of tissue engineering scaffolds.
OBJECTIVE: To fabricate PLLA/chitosan fibers composite scaffold for tissue engineering.
METHODS: The PLLA/chitosan fibers composite scaffold was prepared by thermally induced phase separation method. The micro-morphology, porosity, compressive modulus, degradation and protein adsorption of the scaffold were investigated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The morphology of composite scaffolds showed a combined nanometer and micrometer structure. Adding chitosan fibers to PLLA network can enhance the compressive modulus and protein adsorption of PLLA/chitosan fiber composite scaffold, increased 275% and 112% compared with those of a pure PLLA scaffold. Experiment of the in vitro degradation demonstrated that pH value of composite scaffolds degradation solution declined more slowly with the time. The PLLA/chitosan fiber composite scaffold can enhance the compressive modulus and protein adsorption, also buffer the pH decline during PLLA degradation process, and effectively reduce the indolent inflammation induced by acid product.