Starch/gellan gum hybrid 3D guidance systems for spinal cord injury regeneration: Scaffolds processing, characterization and biological evaluation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a significant health and social problem and therefore it is urgent to find strategies that can spe- cifically target this problem. In this sense the objective of the present work was to develop a new range of 3D tubular structures aimed at inducing the regeneration within SCI sites. Up to six different 3D tubular structures were initially developed by rapid prototyping-3D bioplotting–based on a biodegradable blend of starch. The mechanical properties of these structures were assessed by DMA, in both dry and wet conditions, and their morphologies/ porosities analysed by micro-CT and SEM. Afterwards, gellan gum hydrogel was injected in the central area of structures. Biological evaluation was then carried out by determining their cytotoxicity, using MEM extraction and MTS test, as well as by encapsulation of