Rheological analysis of bioactive gel based on silk fibroin/PLDLA/simvastatin for 3D printing

Abstract

In the last few decades, Bone Tissue Engineering (BTE) has been developed as an effective and alternative approach for treating large bone defects. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an emerging technology expected to revolutionize the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Several efforts have been made to stimulate bone regeneration by the release of osteogenic small molecules such as Simvastatin, because it increases osteogenesis. However, its immobilization in a scaffold/drug system is still an open challenge. Silk fibroin (SF) has been proven to be a promising biomaterial for scaffold fabrication in general and its remarkable mechanical properties predestine it for bone TE applications controllable biodegradability, and suitable cell adhesion/proliferation. Therefore, the control of the viscosity of the FS solution would guarantee the improvement in the quality of the printed structure and reproducibility. The aim of this work is to study the rheological properties of gel based on FS and PLDLA, with SIN, in order to obtain the best composition for 3D printing of scaffold that will be used in bone tissue regeneration. It is important to note that there are no reports in the scientific literature of this gel proposed in this project. FS-PLDLA-SIN solutions will be prepared in formic acid, changing the concentrations of SF, PLDLA and SIM, using a factorial experiment. Thus, the following analysis will be carried out in this project: rheological study of these different compositions, 3D printing of the better gel composition, FTIR, X-ray Diffraction, thermal analysis, simvastatin releasing test, degradation analysis, analysis of osteoblasts cells culture by laser confocal microscopy. (AU)