title: Modification of bone graft by blending with lecithin to improve hydrophilicity and biocompatibility.
abstract: Lecithin was blended to improve the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of bone graft containing poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA). Solution blending and freeze drying were used to fabricate symmetrical scaffolds containing different percentages of lecithin (lecithin: PLLA = 0, 5, 10 wt%). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the scaffolds maintained the three-dimensional porous structure. A water uptake experiment proved the significant improvement of hydrophilicity of the blend scaffold. With the addition of lecithin, the compressive strength and compressive modulus decreased. When the weight ratio of lecithin to PLLA was up to 10%, the compressive strength was still more than the lower limit of natural cancellous bone. To test the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, cell culture in vitro and subcutaneous implantation in vivo were performed. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells were cultured on the scaffolds for 7 days. Methylthiazol tetrazolium assay and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to exhibit proliferation and morphology of the cells. The subcutaneous implantation in rats tested inflammatory response to the scaffolds. The results proved the better biocompatibility and milder inflammatory reactions of the blend scaffold (lecithin: PLLA = 5%) compared with the scaffold without lecithin. The modified scaffold containing lecithin is promising for bone tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D054709:Lecithins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D054709:Lecithins; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)