In vitro Evaluation of PHBV/PCL Blends for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate Vero cells in in vitro biocompatibility tests with pure PHBV and PCL and 75/25 and 50/50 blends developed for bone tissue bioengineering in dense or porous forms. The biomaterials were characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy, (SEM) stereoscopic imaging (SI), and micrometer measurement. Cellular assay was made by MTT, morphological and cytochemistry analysis. The dense and porous scaffolds presented irregular surfaces. SEM allowed to observe details of the irregular surface throughout the dense samples and confirmed the absence of pores. It was found interconnected pores on porous samples. The porous samples were thicker than the dense samples. None of the polymers was considered toxic. Lower activity measured by MTT was observed for the 50/50 blends, suggesting a slower cell adhesion pattern. The cells were able to spread almost throughout the surface of the polymers, even into the pores. The dense and porous 50/50 samples were so brittle and difficult handling. Except for the 50/50 blends, the polymers were generally good substrates for the cells, were non-toxic, and exhibited the recommended morphological features. In addition, these biomaterials did not inhibit specific biological responses identified at the cytochemical level.

Keywords

• poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)
• poly(ε-caprolactone)
• tissue engineering
• cell culture
• bioreabsorbable polymers.