Tri-Component Hydrogel as Template for Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Deposition Using Alternate Soaking Method for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Irina Mihaela Pelin,
Irina Popescu,
Manuela Calin,
Daniela Rebleanu,
Geanina Voicu,
Daniela Ionita,
Marius-Mihai Zaharia,
Marieta Constantin,
Gheorghe Fundueanu
Affiliations
Irina Mihaela Pelin
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Irina Popescu
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Manuela Calin
Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
Daniela Rebleanu
Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
Geanina Voicu
Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
Daniela Ionita
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Marius-Mihai Zaharia
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Marieta Constantin
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Gheorghe Fundueanu
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Composite hydrogels containing apatite-like particles can act as scaffolds for osteoblast proliferation, with applications in bone tissue engineering. In this respect, porous biocompatible hydrogels were obtained from chitosan, oxidized pullulan, and PVA in different ratios. The stability of the hydrogels was ensured both by covalent bonds between aldehyde groups of oxidized pullulan and free amino groups of chitosan, and by physical bonds formed during freeze–thaw cycles and lyophilization. The deposition of calcium phosphates was performed by alternate soaking of the porous hydrogels into solutions with calcium and phosphate ions, assuring a basic pH required for hydroxyapatite formation. The mineralized hydrogels were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, showing that inorganic particles containing between 80 and 92% hydroxyapatite were deposited in a high amount on the pore walls of the polymeric matrix. The composition of the organic matrix influenced the crystallization of calcium phosphates and the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogels. In vitro biological tests showed that mineralized hydrogels support the proliferation of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells to a greater extent compared to pristine hydrogels.