Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The key for articular cartilage repair is the overall repair of cartilage and subchondral bone; however, there is still lack of an ideal integrated scaffold.
OBJECTIVE: To prepare the poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyoctanoate)/collagen composite scaffold and to analyze the basic biological characteristics.
METHODS: The poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyoctanoate)/collagen composite scaffold were made of poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyoctanoate) and collagen Ⅰ, fabricated using the solvent casting-particulate leaching method. The ultrastructure, pore size and interpores of the scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscope. The porosity was measured by liquid displacement method. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, amplified, and then inoculated onto the composite scaffolds. The adherent condition was observed by scanning electron microscope. At last, the proliferation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the scaffolds was examined using MTT method, and the growth curve was drawn.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The integrated scaffold showed the loose and porous structure, The pore diameter of the chondral section was 80-100 μm, the pore diameter of the bone section was 200-220 μm, and the porosity of the osteochondral scaffold was (80.0±2.3)%. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were adherent on the scaffolds well, and the proliferation of the cells on the composite scaffold was good. The pore structure and biocompatibility of poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyoctanoate)/collagen composite scaffold was desirable.