Poly(L-lactic acid)/Hydroxyapatite Nanocylinders as Nanofibrous Structure for Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Abstract

Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester, has been used as material of for tissue engineered scaffold and regenerative medicine. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) and PLLA composite was electrospun. PLLA fibers were treated with an amino groups containing base in order to fabricate amino groups modified polymeric microcylinders. Simvastatin was loaded into the PLLA/HAp microcylinders. Our study focuses on the incorporation HAp and Simvastatin into the fibrous and cylindrical structure, its effects on the loading and release of simvastatin, and biological responses to osteoblast cells. The aspect ratio of microcylinders was tunable by varying the aminolysis treatment time and density of the base. The effects of the PLLA/HAp composites on osteoblast cell proliferation were evaluated. The PLLA/HAp may interact with osteoblast and obtain desired effects that were stimulating osteoblast function and restraining the osteoclast function for bone tissue regeneration. The potential of the developed composite microcylinders could be a promising way to fabricate the microfibrous structural scaffold that accelerates cell proliferation and functions for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.