In this study, we manufactured polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds via a multi-head deposition system. The osteogenic potential of PCL/HA scaffolds was compared with that of PCL scaffolds fabricated with the same system. The fabricated ...
In this study, we manufactured polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds via a multi-head deposition system. The osteogenic potential of PCL/HA scaffolds was compared with that of PCL scaffolds fabricated with the same system. The fabricated scaffolds had a pore size of 400 μm and a porosity of 66.7% with fully-interconnected pore structure. The PCL/HA scaffolds had higher compressive strength and modulus than the PCL scaffolds. To compare the bone regeneration potential, two types of scaffolds (PCL and blended PCL/HA) were seeded with rat osteoblasts and implanted subcutaneously into thymes mice. After implantation for 8 weeks, the osteoblasts cultured on PCL/HA scaffolds expressed higher levels of osteopontin and osteonectin, both of which are osteogenic proteins. The PCL/HA scaffolds resulted in larger bone area and calcium deposition in the implants compared to the PCL scaffolds.