Characterization of PCL/HA Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Porous and bioactive composite scaffolds based on poly ε-caprolactone(PCL) and hydroxyapatite(HA) were successfully fabricated by solvent casting and salt leaching method. The scaffolds have interconnected pore structure with pore size ranging from 10μm to 500μm. The pore size of PCL scaffold and PCL/HA scaffold were similar to that of the salt particles. The pore walls became thick and the small pores on the surface of macropores were formed as the HA increased. MTT assay showed that HA content did not affect initial cell attachment in both PCL scaffolds and PCL/HA scaffolds. The osteoblasts proliferated in both scaffolds, but the cell number was higher in the PCL/HA composite scaffolds. It was found that the incorporation of hydroxyapatite enhances bone cell proliferation rather than initial cell attachment in PCL/HA composite scaffolds. The results suggest that the PCL/HA composite scaffolds have a potential for the bone tissue engineering applications.