2 research outputs found
Scaffolds based on hydroxypropyl starch: processing, morphology, characterization, and biological behavior
In this study, a novel electrospun hybrid scaffold was developed, which consists of a blend of a modified natural
substance, hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) with a synthetic one, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Nanofibers with varying polysaccharide contents
were fabricated using water as solvent and the electrospinning process conditions investigated as a function of the weight ratio
of the blend. The fibers were characterized through mean diameter and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs
clearly showed the effect of HPS/PEO weight ratio of the blend on the nanofibers formation. Stability of the fibers was enhanced by
coating with hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In vitro degradation analysis of the coated mats after 1 month of
immersion showed porous formation, whereas the fibrous structure was retained. The biological response of the mats against human
fibroblasts proved that cells were able to adhere to and proliferate on the fibrous materials. Thus, the feasibility of producing nanofibers
of HPS/PEO blends with high proportion of starch and their biocompatibility after coating with PMMA was demonstrated, indicating
that these materials have potential to be used as scaffolds in tissue engineering applications.The financial support has been granted by Ministry of Science and
Innovation through the project MAT2010-18155 and by the University
of the Basque Country (UPV) with ‘‘University of the Basque
Country group grants.’’ M. Fernández-Gutiérrrez also thanks
to the JAE-doc program of CSIC.Peer reviewe