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Bioresorbable and bioactive PGLA/bioglass composites – mechanical properties and in vitro studies

Justyna Kokoszka 1Maria Łączka 1Elżbieta Pamuła 1Katarzyna Cholewa-Kowalska 1Anna M. Osyczka 2

1. AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics (AGH UST), Mickiewicza 30, Kraków 30-059, Poland
2. Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology and Earth Science, Institute of Zoology (UJ), Kraków 31-007, Poland

Abstract

The polymer base composites are considered as one of the most promising groups of materials in medicine. The combination of polymers with bioactive component like bioglass, takes advantage of the osteoconducting properties – bioactivity and of their strengthening effect on polymer matrices.

The aim of this study was preparation and investigation of new polymer/bioglass composites of enhanced bioactivity. The composites were manufactured in form of foils by volume dissolving of PGLA and Bioglass. As a component of composites were used sol-gel derived bioglasses: S2 – high silica bioglass, and A2 – high lime glass. In this work PGLA composites containing 12% vol., 21% vol. and 33% vol. bioglass additions were manufactured. The obtained PGLA/Bioglass composites were characterized under mechanical properties, wettability and hydrolytic degradation. Hydrolytic degradation was realized in distilled water at 37oC for 3 months. The degradation process was monitored by pH and conductivity measurements of incubation medium. In order to estimate bioactivity of composites the surface changes of composites were investigated as a function of soaking time in simulated body fluid (SBF) after 5 and 10 days using SEM/EDAX analysis. Simultaneously, the interaction of composites with human stem cells was tested under in vitro conditions.

The results of the degradation studies in SBF indicate the possibility to modulate the degradation rate of the composite. The rapid formation of HA on composite foils after incubation in SBF indicates the high bioactivity of the material. Future work will focus on preparing the bioglass/polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering and tissue repair.

 

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Related papers

Presentation: Poster at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008, Symposium L, by Justyna Kokoszka
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008

Submitted: 2008-05-19 12:43
Revised:   2009-06-07 00:48