Biocompatibility Study of A Hydroxyapatite-Alumina and Silicon Carbide Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Objective: To date, several scaffolds have been fabricated for application in bone tissuerepair. However, there remains a need for synthesis of scaffolds with better mechanicalproperties, which can be applied to defects in weight-bearing bones. We constructed acomposite ceramic bioscaffold of hydroxyapatite-alumina and silicon carbide (HA-Al2O3-SiC) to take advantage of the mechanical properties of this combination and show that itsupports osteoblast-like cell attachment and growth.Materials and Methods: Ceramic composite microporous scaffolds were synthesizedusing an organic template (commercial polyurethane sponge with an open, interconnectedmicroporosity). Osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) were then cultured on the scaffold andtheir growth pattern and viability were compared with those cultured in cell culture-treatedflasks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess cell attachment andmigration.Results: The fabricated scaffold shows fairly uniform pore morphologies. Cell growthand viability studies show that the scaffold is able to support osteoblast attachment andgrowth. However, SEM images indicated that the cells do not spread optimally on thescaffold surfaces.Conclusion: Our data suggest that that a ceramic hydroxyapatite-alumina and siliconcarbide composite scaffold is a viable option for bone tissue repair. However, its surfaceproperties should be optimized to maximise the attachment of osteoblasts.

Keywords

• Bone Substitutes
• Tissue Scaffolds
• Hydroxyapatite
• Aluminum Oxide
• Silicon Carbide