In vitro analysis of biodegradable polymer blend/hydroxyapatite composites for bone tissue engineering

Blends of biodegradable polymers, poly(capro- lactone) and poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), have been ex- amined as scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineer- ing. Hydroxyapatite granules have been incorporated into the blends and porous discs were prepared. Mechanical properties and degradation rates in vitro of the composites were determined. The discs were seeded with rabbit bone marrow or cultured bone marrow stromal cells and incu- bated under physiological conditions. Polymer/ceramic scaffolds supported cell growth throughout the scaffold for 8 weeks. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and histological analyses were used to characterize the seeded composites. This study suggests the feasibility of us- ing novel polymer/ceramic composites as scaffold in bone tissue engineering applications. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 47, 324-335, 1999.