Rapid-prototyped PCL/fucoidan composite scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration: Design, fabrication, and physical/biological properties

Biomedical composite scaffolds consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and fucoidan (Fu) fabricated by a melt-plotting system can be applied as a potential scaffold for bone tissue regeneration. In this study, the pore size and strut diameter of the layer-by-layer composite scaffolds were fixed at 305 μm and 300 ± 15 μm, respectively, and the effect of various compositions (3, 5, 10, 20 wt%) of fucoidan on the morphology, hydrophilic properties, water-absorption ability, and mechanical characterization of the scaffolds was evaluated. Through the water-contact angle and water-absorption abilities, the composite scaffolds complemented with fucoidan displayed dramatically increased hydrophilic properties and higher mechanical properties (22% increase of Young's modulus at 10 wt% of fucoidan) under limited compositions of fucoidan compared to the pure PCL scaffold. The in vitro biocompatibility of the scaffolds was examined using osteoblast-like-cells (MG63). Specifically, cellular proliferation and mineralization were assessed. Based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, the cells more easily adhered and grew on the surface of the PCL/Fu scaffolds, showing a 30% enhanced mineral deposition compared to the pure PCL scaffold after 14 days of cell culture. This result was due to the continuous release of fucoidan from the composite scaffold. These physical and biological results demonstrate that composite PCL/Fu scaffolds represent a potential biomaterial for enhancing bone tissue regeneration.