Osteointegration of poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffolds incorporated with violacein

This work reports on the production and in vivo evaluation of biodegradable scaffolds of poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) incorporated with violacein, an antibiotic and antitumoral agent. PHBV produced in a bioreactor by Chromobacterium violaceum was pressed and partially sintered to produce scaffolds with 3 mm of diameter and 3 mm of height. The scaffolds were microstructurally characterized and exhibited suitable micromorphology for bone ingrowth. The PHBV-violacein scaffolds were implanted in femur of Wistar rats, extracted and analyzed after 30 and 60 days of surgery. Histological evaluation revealed that no inflammatory reaction occurred and new bone tissue was formed in the implant. The results indicated that PHBVs with violacein are potential candidates for application in regenerative bone tissue engineering.