title: Pyrene-end-functionalized poly(L-lactide) as an efficient carbon nanotube dispersing agent in poly(L-lactide): mechanical performance and biocompatibility study.
abstract: In order to improve the mechanical properties of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) based implants, a study was made of how far well dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within a PLLA matrix were able to positively affect these properties. To this end, pyrene-end-functionalized poly(L-lactide) (py-end-PLLA) was evaluated as a dispersing agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses and mechanical tests of MWCNTs-based materials demonstrated an enhancement of MWCNT dispersion in the PLLA matrix and improved Young's modulus (E) when 4 wt% of py-end-PLLA was used as the dispersing agent. Subsequently, the bioacceptance of PLLA/py-end-PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposites was evaluated using human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMC) in vitro. The inclusion of py-end-PLLA and MWCNTs supported HBMC adhesion and proliferation. The expression levels of the bone-specific markers indicated that the cells kept their potential to undergo osteogenic differentiation. The results of this study indicate that the addition of MWCNT combined with py-end-PLLA in PLLA/py-end-PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposites may widen the range of applications of PLLA within the field of bone tissue engineering thanks to their mechanical strength and cytocompatibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mining-Metallurgy Engineering and Materials Science POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country (EHU-UPV), Faculty of Engineering, Alameda de Urquijo s/n 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martínez de Arenaza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obarzanek-Fojt
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sarasua
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meaurio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Raquez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruinink
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003102:Colloids / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D019245:Compressive Strength; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003102:Colloids; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011091:Polyesters; D011721:Pyrenes; C033616:poly(lactide)