Hierarchical Functionalized Polymeric-Ceramic Coatings on Mg-Ca Alloys for Biodegradable Implant Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Magnesium-based implants offer biocompatibility and degradability but face challenges with degradation products affecting cell activity.
• Controlling implant degradation and regulating cellular responses are crucial for successful clinical applications.
• Hierarchical scaffolds are needed to integrate implant function with biological requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a combined coating strategy to control magnesium implant degradation and cell regulation.
• To investigate the cellular response to a novel hierarchical scaffold for bone and cardiovascular applications.
• To assess the biocompatibility and efficacy of magnesium implants functionalized with plasma electrolytic oxidation and breath figures.

Main Methods:

• Developed a hierarchical scaffold using magnesium (Mg) as the base material.
• Applied a combined coating strategy: plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) for a Ca, P, Si ceramic layer and breath figures (BF) for a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) surface.
• Evaluated cell adhesion and proliferation of premyoblast cells on the Mg/PEO/PCL/BF scaffolds compared to titanium (Ti CP) controls.

Main Results:

• The PCL-PEO coating effectively tailored the degradation of the Mg hierarchical scaffold.
• The porous structure promoted cell adhesion and proliferation, with cells colonizing the inner PEO-ceramic coating.
• Mg/PEO/PCL/BF scaffolds demonstrated comparable or superior premyoblast cell adhesion and proliferation versus Ti CP controls.

Conclusions:

• The combined PEO and BF coating strategy successfully controls magnesium implant degradation and enhances cellular activity.
• The hierarchical functionalized scaffold supports cell colonization and proliferation, indicating excellent biological behavior.
• This advanced scaffold holds significant promise for improving implantation success in bone and cardiovascular clinical applications.