[In vitro degradation and subsequent biomechanical changes of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds prepared by mild heating under high pressure].

Objective: To study the changes in biomechanics and such indices as intrinsic viscosity poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds produced by mild heating under high pressure after in vitro degradation.

Methods: PLGA scaffolds with the porosity of 90.0% and 92.5% respectively were immerged in 37 degrees Celsius; saline for 8 weeks, and the changes in their mass, intrinsic viscosity and loss of compressive strength were assessed on a weekly basis, and the acidity of the degradation solution was also measured regularly.

Results: Significant differences was noted in the mass reduction between the scaffolds, and the intrinsic viscosity began to decrease in both groups in the first week to half of the original value till the sixth week. A 50% reduction in the compressive strength of the scaffolds occurred at the fourth week, and till the eighth week, obvious structural collapse was observed. Along with the changes, the acidity of the degradation solution increased from 6.0 to 6.5, and the solution of 90.0% porosity group had lower pH value during the first 4 weeks than 92.5% porosity group, but such difference was no longer seen afterwards.

Conclusions: PLGA scaffolds made by mild heating under high pressure have stable biomechanical performance with the half-life of approximately 6 weeks, which can be applicable for tissue engineering.