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Crystallinity assessment and in vitro cytotoxicity of polylactide scaffolds for biomedical applications

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Abstract

Bioresorbable polylactides are one of the most important materials for tissue engineering applications. In this work we have prepared scaffolds based on the two optically pure stereoisomers: poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA). The crystalline structure and morphology were evaluated by DSC, AFM and X-ray diffraction. PLLA and PDLA crystallized in the α form and the equimolar PLLA/PDLA blend, crystallized in the stereocomplex form, were analyzed by a proliferation assay in contact with mouse L-929 and human fibroblasts and neonatal keratinocytes for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation. SEM analysis was conducted to determine the cell morphology, spreading and adhesion when in contact with the different polymer surfaces. The preserved proliferation rate showed in MTT tests and the high colonization on the surface of polylactides observed by SEM denote that PLLA, PDLA and the equimolar PLLA/PDLA are useful biodegradable materials in which the crystalline characteristics can be tuned for specific biomedical applications.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful for financial support from the Basque Government Department of Education, University and Research (consolidated research groups GIC10/152-IT-334-10 and project IT431-07) and Department of Health (PI2005111043). We also thank SGIKER from UPV/EHU for WAXD and SEM measurements and the support of CIC Biomagune and Biobasque agency (Project Etortek IE07-201).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining-Metallurgy and Materials Science, School of Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    J. R. Sarasua, N. López-Rodríguez, E. Zuza & S. Petisco

  2. Histocell S. L., Derio, Spain

    B. Castro & M. del Olmo

  3. Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of the Basque Country (EHU-UPV), Bilbao, Spain

    T. Palomares & A. Alonso-Varona

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  1. J. R. Sarasua
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  2. N. López-Rodríguez
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  3. E. Zuza
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  4. S. Petisco
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  5. B. Castro
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  6. M. del Olmo
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  8. A. Alonso-Varona
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Correspondence to J. R. Sarasua.

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Sarasua, J.R., López-Rodríguez, N., Zuza, E. et al. Crystallinity assessment and in vitro cytotoxicity of polylactide scaffolds for biomedical applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 22, 2513–2523 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4425-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4425-1

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