Osteoblast biocompatibility on poly(octanediol citrate)/sebacate elastomers with controlled wettability

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Biodegradable polyester elastomers are promising for biomedical applications.
• Poly(octanediol citrate)/sebacate (p(OCS)) is a class of such materials.
• Optimizing p(OCS) for bone tissue engineering requires understanding its interaction with cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biocompatibility of poly(octanediol citrate)/sebacate (p(OCS)) biodegradable polyester elastomers.
• To evaluate the effect of varying monomer ratios on cell growth and material properties.
• To determine the suitability of p(OCS) for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized three types of p(OCS) films by adjusting molar ratios of 1,8-octanediol (OD), citric acid (CA), and sebacic acid (SA).
• Measured water contact angles to assess surface hydrophilicity.
• Cultured human MG63 osteoblast-like cells on p(OCS) films for 1, 4, and 18 days.
• Quantified viable cell density using cell counting methods.

Main Results:

• p(OCS) films exhibited decreasing hydrophilicity with increasing sebacic acid (SA) content.
• No significant difference in cell growth was observed at day 1.
• Highest viable cell numbers were found on p(OCS) with intermediate CA and increasing SA content after 4 and 18 days, respectively.
• Statistically significant higher cell densities were observed on p(OCS) with SA molar ratios of 0.25 and 0.5 compared to 100% CA after 18 days.

Conclusions:

• The biocompatibility and osteoblast-like cell growth on p(OCS) elastomers are significantly influenced by the molar ratios of CA and SA.
• Adjusting monomer composition offers a simple method to enhance p(OCS) performance for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
• p(OCS) materials with optimized CA:SA ratios show potential for developing effective bone regeneration strategies.