Produção e caracterização de arcabouços compósitos HA/biopolímero para engenharia de tecidos.

Abstract

The main purpose behind tissue engineering is the development of solutions to treat and regenerate body tissues, combining human cells with porous scaffolds to accommodate and guide the formation of the neo-tissue. Following this principle, the present work aimed the development of composite scaffolds with Hydroxyapatite (HA) and biopolymers, to use in tissue engineering, and assess the relationship between the physical, chemical, mechanical and biologic properties. A freeze-drying technique was used for the manufacture of porous scaffolds composed of Chitosan / Gelatin and Chitosan/Gelatin/HA, crosslinked with procyanidin and glutaraldehyde. The results revealed an interaction between components and also a change in the swelling and mechanical properties for different contents of Gelatin, HA and both crosslinkers. An in vitro degradation test was applied to the chemical crosslinked scaffolds, revealing that the Chitosan/Gelatin composition was totally biodegradable while the Chitosan/Gelatin/HA was more stable throughout the same test. Cell viability tests made for all compositions showed non toxicity and biocompatibility. With these results, it is possible to conclude that the produced scaffolds offer a wide range of choices in the biomedical field, such as, drug delivery systems and bone and cartilage regeneration solutions.