title: N-O, carboxymethyl chitosan enhanced scaffold porosity and biocompatibility under e-beam irradiation at 50 kGy.
abstract: In this study, a chitosan co-polymer scaffold was prepared by mixing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), NO, carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions to obtain desirable properties for chondrocyte cultivation. Electron beam (e-beam) radiation was used to physically cross-link these polymers at different doses (30 kGy and 50 kGy). The co-polymers were then lyophilized to form macroporous three-dimensional (3-D) matrix. Scaffold morphology, porosity, swelling properties, biocompatibility, expression of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen following the seeding of primary chondrocytes were studied up to 28 days. The results demonstrate that irradiation of e-beam at 50 kGy increased scaffold porosity and pore sizes subsequently enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed extensive interconnected microstructure of PVA-PEG-NOCC, demonstrated cellular activities on the scaffolds and their ability to maintain chondrocyte phenotype. In addition, the produced PVA-PEG-NOCC scaffolds showed superior swelling properties, and increased GAG and type II collagen secreted by the seeded chondrocytes. In conclusion, the results suggest that by adding NOCC and irradiation cross-linking at 50 kGy, the physical and biological properties of PVA-PEG blend can be further enhanced thereby making PVA-PEG-NOCC a potential scaffold for chondrocytes.
authors: National Orthopedics Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: siyuen_lee@yahoo.com.
authors: Si-Yuen
authors: SY
authors: Lee
authors: National Orthopedics Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kamarul
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008422:Materials Testing; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C514968:carboxymethyl-chitosan; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D003094:Collagen; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Biocompatibility; E-beam radiation cross-linking; NO, Carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC); Porosity; Scaffold