Preparation and Characterization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Scaffolds to be Used in Tissue Engineering Applications

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are good alternatives on account of biocompatible and biodegradable properties to produce materials as scaffolds for engineered tissues. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) which is a member of polyhydroxyalkanoate family have been widely used as a biomaterial for in vitro and in vivo studies due to its unique properties such as improved flexibility and processability. In this study polyhydroxybutyrate scaffolds were prepared for tissue engineering applications. In order to improve cell attachment on the scaffolds they were modified. During the modification three different immunologically inactive compounds, polyetyhylene glycol (PEG), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) were used in radio frequency glow discharge (RFGD) plasma polymerization system. Morphological evaluations were obtained by using scanning electron microscopy. Obtained results showed high and interconnected porosity. In vitro weight loss profiles of the scaffolds were investigated by using gravimetric method and found to be influenced by PHB concentration used in the preparation of scaffolds. Their biological promotion of activities including cell attachment, morphology and proliferation on L929 mouse fibroblast cells were examined and cytotoxicity tests were performed at the last part of the study.