High performing additively manufactured bone scaffolds based on copper substituted diopside. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pang, Shumin; Wu, Dongwei; Kamutzki, Franz; Kurreck, Jens; Gurlo, Aleksander; Hanaor, Dorian A.H.
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 215(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Copper -- Diopside -- Mechanical performance -- Biocompatibility -- Angiogenesis -- Antibacterial activity; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Robocasting of precipitation derived 0–3 at.% copper-doped diopside. Copper-doping improved mechanical properties. 1 at.% copper-doping showed favorable cell proliferation and in vitro angiogenic ability. Copper-doped diopside showed anti- E. coli activity, increasing with copper content. 1 at.% copper-doped diopside appears to be the optimal composition for scaffold material. Abstract: The inclusion of small amounts of copper is often reported to enhance the mechanical and biointegrative performance of bioceramics towards tissue engineering applications. In this work, 3D scaffolds were additively manufactured by robocasting of precipitation derived copper doped diopside. Compositions were chosen in which magnesium sites in diopside were substituted by copper up to 3 at.%. Microstructure, mechanical performance, bioactivity, biodegradability, drug release, biocompatibility, in vitro angiogenesis and antibacterial activity were studied. Results indicate that copper is incorporated in the diopside structure and improves materials' fracture toughness. Scaffolds with > 80% porosity exhibited compressive strengths exceeding that of cancellous bone. All compositions showed bioactivity and drug release functionalities. However, only samples with 0–1 at.% copper substitution showed favorable proliferation of osteogenic sarcoma cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and fibroblasts, while larger amounts of copper had cytotoxic behavior. In vitro angiogenesis was significantly enhanced by low levels of copper. Copper-containing materials showed anti- Escherichia coli activity, increasing with copper content. We show that across multiple indicators, copper substituted diopside of the composition CaMg0.99 Cu0.01 Si2 O6, exhibits high performance as a synthetic bone substitute, comparing favorably with known bioceramics. These findings present a pathway for the enhancement of bioactivity and mechanical performance in printable bioceramics.