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Effect of porosity on long-term degradation of poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds and their cellular response
- Source :
-
Polymer Degradation & Stability . Jan2013, Vol. 98 Issue 1, p209-218. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds are widely used as in vivo implants in tissue engineering, and their long-term degradation behaviors are of great importance for their in vivo performances. However, the influence of porosity on long-term degradation of PCL scaffold in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) has been rarely reported so far. Herein, a 72-week degradation study of PCL scaffolds with various porosities was conducted to elucidate the changes of physico-chemical properties such as weight, molecular weight, morphology and compressive modulus. Within 72 weeks, PCL scaffolds experienced three stages: stable stage, mechanical loss stage and structural collapse stage. The higher porosity induced the severer loss of weight, molecular weight and compressive modulus. It was found that a minimal acid autocatalysis also happened in the scaffold samples with low porosities (less than 85%). Cellular response on the scaffolds with various porosities was further evaluated. The cell ingrowth improved on the scaffold with high porosity (e.g. S-10) in contrast to those with low porosity (e.g. S-6 and S-4). The combined results demonstrated that an optimal porosity of PCL scaffolds should be designed greater than 90% due to the appropriate degradation rate and good cell performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01413910
- Volume :
- 98
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Polymer Degradation & Stability
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 84574241
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.10.008