Bioactive materials-coated polybutylene-adipate-co-terephthalate 3D-printed scaffolds for application in the bone tissues engineering

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a biomedical area that develops scaffolds capable of mimicking and repairing damage on bone tissue. For this, a popular and nonexpensive 3D printing technique named fused deposition modeling (FDM) has been used. The potential use of 3D scaffolds of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) has been investigated in BTE since this polymer presents good biocompatibility and degradability, as well as mechanical properties like those offered by the natural bone. A single material does not have the features to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation; the incorporation of bioactive substances can overcome this issue. This work aimed to develop 3D printed PBAT scaffolds by FDM technique and coated them with hydroxyapatite (H), bioglass (B), and gelatin (G) by solution immersion technique to obtain a functional biomaterial to be applied on the BTE. Structural characteristics and morphological and mechanical properties of the 3D scaffolds were evaluated. The cell proliferation and mineralization of pre-osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were accessed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, sulphorodhamine B, and Alizarin red assay, respectively. 3D printed PBAT scaffolds were successfully obtained by FDM, and the surface modification of 3D PBAT was proven through the changes observed in structural and morphological characteristics. In addition, the mechanical properties were improved in the modified scaffolds. Also, the coated 3D PBAT scaffolds with any bioactive substance increased and promoted cell proliferation and pre-osteoblastic differentiation. Therefore, the combination of 3D PBAT scaffolds and H, G, and/or B (doped with niobium) is an alternative to produce functional biomaterials for BTE.