title: In vivo biocompatibility and mechanical properties of porous zein scaffolds.
abstract: In our previous study, a three-dimensional zein porous scaffold with a compressive Young's modulus of up to 86.6+/-19.9 MPa and a compressive strength of up to 11.8+/-1.7 MPa was prepared, and was suitable for culture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. In this study, we examined its tissue compatibility in a rabbit subcutaneous implantation model; histological analysis revealed a good tissue response and degradability. To improve its mechanical property (especially the brittleness), the scaffolds were prepared using the club-shaped mannitol as the porogen, and stearic acid or oleic acid was added. The scaffolds obtained had an interconnected tubular pore structure, 100-380 microm in pore size, and about 80% porosity. The maximum values of the compressive strength and modulus, the tensile strength and modulus, and the flexural strength and modulus were obtained at the lowest porosity, reaching 51.81+/-8.70 and 563.8+/-23.4 MPa; 3.91+/-0.86 and 751.63+/-58.85 MPa; and 17.71+/-3.02 and 514.39+/-19.02 MPa, respectively. Addition of 15% stearic acid or 20% oleic acid did not affect the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, and a successful improvement of mechanical properties, especially the brittleness of the zein scaffold could be achieved.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Hua-Jie
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheng-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Zhi-Xin
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jian-Xi
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Song-Tao
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Jing-Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin-Ye
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004548:Elasticity; D008422:Materials Testing; D019563:Mechanics; D016062:Porosity; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015028:Zein