Self-neutralizing PLGA/magnesium composites as novel biomaterials for tissue engineering

Biomed Mater. 2018 Mar 16;13(3):035013. doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/aaaa29.

Abstract

Controlling acidic degradation of biodegradable polyesters remains a major clinical challenge. This work presents a simple and effective strategy of developing polyester composites with biodegradable magnesium metal or alloys. PLGA samples with compositions of 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt% magnesium were produced using a simple solvent-casting method, which resulted in composite films with near uniform Mg metal/alloy particle dispersion. Degradation study of the composite films showed that all compositions higher than 1 wt% magnesium were able to extend the duration of degradation, and buffer acidic pH resulting from PLGA degradation. PLGA composite with 5 wt% of magnesium showed near-neutral degradation pattern under sink conditions. Magnesium addition also showed improved mechanical characteristics in terms of the tensile modulus. In vitro experiments conducted by seeding PLGA composites with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts demonstrated increased ALP expression and cellular mineralization. The established new biodegradable polymer-metal system provides a useful biomaterial platform with a wide range of applications in biomedical device development and scaffold-based tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Alloys / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry
  • Magnesium / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Particle Size
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / chemistry*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tensile Strength
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Magnesium