Bioglass® coated poly(DL-lactide) foams for tissue engineering scaffolds

The purpose of this study was to prepare poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA)/Bioglass(R) composites of foam-like structure, to measure the degree of bioactivity of the composites by studying the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) and to test the initial attachment of human osteoblasts within the porous network. It was found that crystalline HA formed on the Bioglass coated PDLLA foams after 7 days of immersion in SBF. HA formed also on the surfaces of non-coated PDLLA foams, however the rate and amount of HA formation were much lower than in the composites. The rapid formation of HA on the Bioglass(R)/PDLLA foam surfaces confirmed the high bioactivity of these materials. Osteoblasts attached within the porous network throughout the depth of the foams. Cell density was found to be higher in the PDLLA/Bioglass(R) composites compared to the pure PDLLA foams. The composite foams developed here exhibit the required bioactivity to be used as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.