Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/titania composite microsphere-sintered scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize novel three-dimensional porous scaffolds made of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/nano-TiO(2)-particle composite microspheres for potential bone repair applications. The introduction of TiO(2) component has been proven capable of largely enhancing mechanical properties of PLGA/TiO(2) microsphere-sintered scaffold ("PLGA/TiO(2)-SMS"). In addition, composite nano-TiO(2) additives are capable of inducing an increased arrest of adhesive proteins from the environment, which benefits cell attachment onto the scaffolds. Osteoblast proliferation and maturation were evaluated by MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and bony calcification assay. The results indicate that osteoblasts cultured on the composite scaffolds with different TiO(2) content (0, 0.1, and 0.3 g/1 g PLGA) display increased cell proliferation compared with pure PLGA scaffold. When cultured on composite scaffolds, osteoblasts also exhibit significantly enhanced ALP activity and higher calcium secretion, with respect to those on the pure PLGA scaffolds. Taken together, PLGA/TiO(2)-SMSs deserve attention utilizing for potential bone-repairing therapeutics.