Cerium Oxide and Silk Fibroin Doped PLA Scaffold to Bridge Tendon

Abstract

Tendon is type of ‗‘connective tissue‘‘, which has the unique purpose of connect muscles to the bones, and transferring mechanical loads, which allows structural movement. Tendons can become injured by overuse, injury, or other degenerative diseases that affect the tendons ability to function, and cause pain or disability may be experienced. Different approaches in tendons healing and regeneration have been administrated from sutures, surgery, and recently biomolecular scaffolds like hydrogels and scaffolds. However, these approaches have certain difficulties, such as a low-level interaction with the native tissues, potential immune response rejection, and shortage of suitable materials to use in clinic. In this study, a composite scaffold comprising of silk fibroin (SF), Polylactic acid and copper doped cerium oxide was fabricated through electrospinning. The prepared scaffold was characterized by various techniques. FTIR was used for confirmation of polymeric functional groups in the scaffold. Evaluation of hydrophilicity, swelling, porosity and density of the scaffold showed that results were in optimal range that hold promise for future clinical applications, facilitating cell proliferation and promoting cell attachment to host tissues. Morphology and fiber alignment of synthesized scaffolds was confirmed by SEM. Obtained results confirm that the synthesized scaffolds were in agreement with the structure of tendon tissues. In vitro degradation studies proved that the composite scaffold demonstrated a favorable degradation rate matching the regeneration period of alveolar tendon. From all the results, it can be concluded that this synthesized composite will be an encouraging biomaterial for tendon regeneration.