@article {15530, title = {Starch-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and starch-poly(lactic acid) fibre-mesh scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications: structure, mechanical properties and degradation behaviour}, journal = {Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine}, volume = {2}, year = {2008}, month = {2008-11-05 00:00:00}, pages = {243-252}, abstract = {

In scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies, the successful regeneration of tissues from matrixproducing
connective tissue cells or anchorage-dependent cells (e.g. osteoblasts) relies on the use
of a suitable scaffold. This study describes the development and characterization of SPCL (starch
with ε-polycaprolactone, 30 : 70\%) and SPLA [starch with poly(lactic acid), 30 : 70\%] fibre-meshes,
aimed at application in bone tissue-engineering strategies. Scaffolds based on SPCL and SPLA
were prepared from fibres obtained by melt-spinning by a fibre-bonding process. The porosity of
the scaffolds was characterized by microcomputerized tomography (μCT) and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). Scaffold degradation behaviour was assessed in solutions containing hydrolytic
enzymes (α-amylase and lipase) in physiological concentrations, in order to simulate in vivo
conditions. Mechanical properties were also evaluated in compression tests. The results show
that these scaffolds exhibit adequate porosity and mechanical properties to support cell adhesion
and proliferation and also tissue ingrowth upon implantation of the construct. The results of
the degradation studies showed that these starch-based scaffolds are susceptible to enzymatic
degradation, as detected by increased weight loss (within 2 weeks, weight loss in the SPCL samples
reached 20\%). With increasing degradation time, the diameter of the SPCL and SPLA fibres
decreases significantly, increasing the porosity and consequently the available space for cells and
tissue ingrowth during implantation time. These results, in combination with previous cell culture
studies showing the ability of these scaffolds to induce cell adhesion and proliferation, clearly
demonstrate the potential of these scaffolds to be used in tissue engineering strategies to regenerate
bone tissue defects.

}, keywords = {Biodegradable, Scaffold, Starch}, author = {Gomes, M. E. and Azevedo, H. S. and Moreira, A. R. and Ella, V. and Kellom{\"a}ki, M. and Reis, R. L.} }