Abstract

Maskanati M, Motiee F, Aghabozorgb H, Masoumeh Meskinfam*

Porous scaffolds containing calcium phosphate phase similar to bone apatite with appropriate cell interaction is a promising alternative to autologous and heterologous bone grafts. Chitosan (CS)/Fe doped hydroxyapatite (Fe-HAp) are here investigated as scaffold for bone tissue regeneration. Formation of scaffolds carried out by introducing Fe doped apatite nanoparticles into the chitosan solution via freeze-drying method to develop a bio-integrable matrix with desirable geometries to support cell adhesion, growth and anchorage onto the pore walls of the CS scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of Fe substituted calcium phosphate powders showed the formation of spherical nano particles of Fe doped hydroxyapatite (Fe-nHAp) with uniform size distribution and magnetic property (saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity , about 0.25 emu/g and ˜50 Oe, respectively). Scaffolds morphological characterization confirmed that immersion time of Fe ions for being doped in apatite lattice has effect on the morphology of distributed Fe-HAp particles thorough the CS porous structure. Fe doped apatite also affected the CS scaffold cytocompatibility, providing more suitable surface for cell spreading, attachment and proliferation. This scaffold can be a good candidate for bone tissue regeneration applications considering the obtained results.