J Dent Sci. 2017 Mar;12(1):33-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 Aug 9.

Fabrication and characterization of polycaprolactone and tricalcium phosphate composites for tissue engineering applications.

Huang SH¹, Hsu TT², Huang TH^1,3, Lin CY², Shie MY^2,4.

Abstract

Background/purpose:

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is an osteoconductive material which has been used for clinical purposes for several years, as is polycaprolactone (PCL), which has already been approved for a number of medical and drug delivery devices. In this study we have incorporated various concentrations of β-TCP into PCL with the aim of developing an injectable, mechanically strong, and biodegradable material which can be used for medical purposes without organic solvents.

Materials and methods:

This study assesses the physical and chemical properties of this material, evaluates the in vitro bioactivity of the PCL/β-TCP composites, and analyzes cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation when using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).

Results:

The results show that weight losses of approximately 5.3%, 12.1%, 18.6%, and 25.2%, were observed for the TCP0, TCP10, TCP30, and TCP50 composites after immersion in simulated body fluid for 12 weeks, respectively, indicating significant differences (P < 0.05). In addition, PCL/β-TCP composites tend to have lower contact angles (47 ± 1.5° and 58 ± 1.7° for TCP50 and TCP30, respectively) than pure PCL (85 ± 1.3°), which are generally more hydrophilic. After 7 days, a significant (22% and 34%, respectively) increase (P < 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase level was measured for TCP30 and TCP50 in comparison with the pure PCL.

Conclusion:

PCL/TCP is biocompatible with hBMSCs. It not only promotes proliferation of hBMSCs but also helps to differentiate reparative hard tissue. We suggest 50% (weight) PCL-containing β-TCP biocomposites as the best choice for hard tissue repair applications.