Cytotoxicity investigation of a new hydroxyapatite scaffold with improved structural design

• Published in: Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo Vol. 144; no. 5-6; pp. 280 - 287
• Main Authors: Sjerobabin, Nikola, Čolović, Božana, Petrović, Milan, Marković, Dejan, Živković, Slavoljub, Jokanović, Vukoman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbia Serbian Medical Society 2016
• Subjects: cytotoxicity; hydroxyapatite; LDH; MTT
• ISSN: 0370-8179; 2406-0895
• DOI: 10.2298/SARH1606280S

Biodegradable porous scaffolds are found to be very promising bone substitutes, acting
as a temporary physical support to guide new tissue regeneration, until the entire scaffold is totally
degraded and replaced by the new tissue.
The aim of this study was to investigate cytotoxicity of a synthesized calcium hydroxyapatitebased
scaffold, named ALBO-OS, with high porosity and optimal topology.
The ALBO-OS scaffold was synthesized by the method of polymer foam template. The analysis
of pore geometry and scaffold walls’ topography was made by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The
biological investigations assumed the examinations of ALBO-OS cytotoxicity to mouse L929 fibroblasts,
using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromidefor (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH) tests and inverse phase microscopy.
The SEM analysis showed high porosity with fair pore distribution and interesting morphology
from the biological standpoint. The biological investigations showed that the material is not cytotoxic
to L929 cells. Comparison of ALBO-OS with Bio-Oss, as the global gold standard as a bone substitute,
showed similar results in MTT test, while LDH test showed significantly higher rate of cell multiplication
with ALBO-OS.
The scaffold design from the aspect of pore size, distribution, and topology seems to be very
convenient for cell adhesion and occupation, which makes it a promising material as a bone substitute.
The results of biological assays proved that ALBO-OS is not cytotoxic for L929 fibroblasts. In comparison
with Bio-Oss, similar or even better results were obtained.