title: Poly(ε-caprolactone) reinforced with sol-gel synthesized organic-inorganic hybrid fillers as composite substrates for tissue engineering.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The importance of polymer-based composite materials to make multifunctional substrates for tissue engineering and the strategies to improve their performances have been stressed in the literature. Bioactive features of sol-gel synthesized poly(ε-caprolactone)/TiO₂ or poly(ε-caprolactone)/ZrO₂ organic-inorganic hybrid materials are widely documented. Accordingly, the aim of this preliminary research was to develop advanced composite substrates consisting of a poly(ε-caprolactone) matrix reinforced with sol-gel synthesized PCL/TiO₂ or PCL/ZrO₂ hybrid fillers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Micro-computed tomography and atomic force microscopy analyses allowed to study surface topography and roughness. On the other hand, mechanical and biological performances were evaluated by small punch tests and Alamar Blue™ assay, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Micro-computed tomography and atomic force microscopy analyses highlighted the effect of the preparation technique. Results from small punch tests and Alamar Blue™ assay evidenced that PCL reinforced with Ti2 (PCL=12, TiO₂=88 wt%) and Zr2 (PCL=12, ZrO₂=88 wt%) hybrid fillers provided better mechanical and biological performances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCL reinforced with Ti2 (PCL=12, TiO₂=88 wt%) and Zr2 (PCL=12, ZrO₂=88 wt%) hybrid fillers could be considered as advanced composite substrates for hard tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gloria
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D-Antò
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: D'Amora
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ametrano
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bollino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ausanio
authors.forename: Michelina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catauro
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rengo
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
mesh_terms: D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011091:Polyesters; C009495:titanium dioxide; C016240:polycaprolactone; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide