Mesoporous bioactive glass doped-poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) composite scaffolds with 3-dimensionally hierarchical pore networks for bone regeneration

Scaffolds play a critical role in bone tissue engineering. Composite scaffolds made of biodegradable polymers and bioactive inorganic compounds have demonstrated superior properties in bone defect repair. In this study, highly bioactive, resorbable poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx)-based scaffolds were prepared using combinational 3-dimensional (3D) printing and surface-doping protocol. Structural and morphological characterization of the composite scaffolds demonstrated the homogenous surface-coating of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) throughout their porous framework. These hierarchical scaffolds showed bioactivity superior to that of scaffolds made of pure PHBHHx. MBG coating appeared to provide a better environment for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) attachment, activity, and osteogenic differentiation. Our study indicates that MBG-coated PHBHHx (PHBM) scaffolds may be excellent candidates for use in bone tissue engineering.