Effects of polycaprolactone-biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds on enhancing growth and differentiation of osteoblasts.

Background: Polycaprolactone (PCL)-biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds fabricated using Melt-Stretching and Compression Molding (MSCM) can release calcium and phosphate ions, which are essential for bone formation.

Objective: Responses of the osteoblasts seeded on three groups of scaffolds including group A; PCL-20% BCP (%wt), group B; PCL-30% BCP and group C (control); pure PCL (100% PCL) were evaluated.

Methods: The cell-scaffold constructs were made by seeding osteoblast cell lines at 1×105 cells/scaffold. The constructs of each group were divided for culturing in proliferation medium (PR) and osteogenic induction medium (OS) for 30 days.

Results: The cells attached and grew on the scaffolds of all groups. The cell number and the differentiation markers of groups A and B were remarkably higher than those of group C over the observation periods. Slow proliferation of the cells of group A and B in the PR medium in the first 7 days corresponded to the maximum increases in alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP). The maximum levels of ALP of those groups in the OS medium were not detected until day 14. The levels of osteocalcin of those groups were not statistically different when cultured in both mediums.

Conclusions: The MSCM scaffolds are suitable for supporting attachment and growth of the osteoblasts. Additional BCP into the PCL-based scaffolds accelerate early differentiation of the cells in the constructs even without osteogenic-inductive condition.