Biocompatibility studies on biodegradable polyester based composites by human osteoblasts: a preliminary screening,

A series of biodegradable composites with natural hydroxyapatite, designed for possible use in orthopedics application, were preliminarily screened for biocompatibility by employing primary cultures of human osteoblasts in a direct contact method. The cells were seeded at low density onto the materials under investigation and allowed to grow for 2 weeks. They then were analyzed for morphology, proliferation, viability, alkaline phosphatase activity (AP), osteolcalcin (OC) production, and extracellular matrix mineralization. The results showed that all materials have good biocompatibility. Cell viability tests demonstrated that in all cases the values were comparable to the control, and the addition of hydroxyapatite always resulted in an enhancement of performance with respect to the plain polymer. AP and OC analyses confirmed that all composites allowed the expression of phenotype markers. Scanning electron microscopy provided direct evidence of intense cell adhesion and proliferation on the tested materials.A series of biodegradable composites with natural hydroxyapatite, designed for possible use in orthopedics application, were preliminarily screened for biocompatibility by employing primary cultures of human osteoblasts in a direct contact method. The cells were seeded at low density onto the materials under investigation and allowed to grow for 2 weeks. They then were analyzed for morphology, proliferation, viability, alkaline phosphatase activity (AP), osteolcalcin (OC) production, and extracellular matrix mineralization. The results showed that all materials have good biocompatibility. Cell viability tests demonstrated that in all cases the values were comparable to the control, and the addition of hydroxyapatite always resulted in an enhancement of performance with respect to the plain polymer. AP and OC analyses confirmed that all composites allowed the expression of phenotype markers. Scanning electron microscopy provided direct evidence of intense cell adhesion and proliferation on the tested materials.