Effects of different crosslinking conditions on the chemical-physical properties of a novel bio-inspired composite scaffold stabilised with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE).
Serious cartilage lesions (Outerbridge III, IV) may be successfully treated with a three-layered gradient scaffold made by magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite and type I collagen, manufactured through a bio-inspired process and stabilised by a reactive bis-epoxy (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, BDDGE). Each layer was analysed to elucidate the effects of crosslinking variables (concentration, temperature and pH). The chemical stabilisation led to an homogeneous and aligned collagenous matrix: the fibrous structures switched to a laminar foils-based arrangement and organic phases acquired an highly coordinated 3D-organization. These morphological features were strongly evident when crosslinking occurred in alkaline solution, with BDDGE concentration of at least 1 wt%. The optimised crosslinking conditions did not affect the apatite nano-crystals nucleated into self-assembling collagen fibres. The present work allowed to demonstrate that acting on BDDGE reaction parameters might be an useful tool to control the chemical-physical properties of bio-inspired scaffold suitable to heal wide osteochondral defects, even through arthroscopic procedure.
Fin-Ceramica Faenza SpA, Faenza, RA, Italy. anicoletti@finceramica.it
A
A
Nicoletti
M
M
Fiorini
J
J
Paolillo
L
L
Dolcini
M
M
Sandri
D
D
Pressato
D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D002072:Butylene Glycols; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; C014376:1,4-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)butane