Bioglass and zinc incorporated PCL based composite as biodegradable implants for bone fixation

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer extensively used in bone fixation applications.
• Matching the degradation rate of bone regeneration is crucial for effective bone fixation scaffolds.
• Incorporating bioglass into PCL aims to enhance bioactivity and control degradation kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize polycaprolactone (PCL) composites with varying weight percentages of zinc (Zn) and 45S5 Bioglass (BG).
• To evaluate the degradation behavior, mechanical properties, and in vitro cytocompatibility of these novel PCL-bioglass-zinc composites.
• To identify an optimal composite formulation for enhanced bone regeneration applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of PCL composites with different weight % of Zn and 45S5 Bioglass (BG).
• Assessment of degradation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and acidic solutions.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties: density, hardness, and flexural strength.
• In vitro cytocompatibility testing using mouse osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1).

Main Results:

• All synthesized PCL composites exhibited improved mechanical properties, degradation rates, and cytocompatibility compared to pure PCL.
• The PCL composite containing 10% Zn and 30% bioglass demonstrated superior performance across all tested parameters.
• Degradation behavior was significantly influenced by the presence of Zn and BG in the PCL matrix.

Conclusions:

• The incorporation of 45S5 Bioglass and zinc into PCL significantly enhances its suitability for bone fixation applications.
• The PCL composite with 10% Zn and 30% BG presents a promising biomaterial with balanced properties for bone regeneration.
• These findings support the development of advanced composite scaffolds for orthopedic applications.