New Three Dimensional-Printed Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol Liners for Hip Joint Endoprostheses: A Bioactive...

Osteoporosis and bone defects are commonly observed in postmenopausal women, often linked to decreased folic acid levels, which play a crucial role in bone metabolism and regeneration. This study investigates 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)-based porous scaffolds impregnated with chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HAp), and folic acid (FA) for bone tissue engineering applications. The PETG-CS scaffold serves as the primary structural framework, with HAp incorporated to enhance bioactivity through its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. FA was included to address potential deficiencies in bone quality and to stimulate cellular differentiation. The scaffolds were fabricated using precise 3D printing techniques, yielding structures with controlled porosity. Physicochemical analyses confirmed the successful integration of HAp and FA into the PETG-CS matrix. Biological evaluations using preosteoblast cell lines demonstrated enhanced cell viability, proliferation, and biocompatibility of the scaffolds. These findings highlight the promising applications of PETG-CS-HAp-FA scaffolds in bone tissue engineering, providing a platform for future investigations into personalized regenerative therapies.