Research Article
A. Theocharidou, C. Tsiopts
Abstract
Scaffolds are commonly used as cell’s vehicles in order to promote cell development. The aim of this study was to investigate the proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) in composite ceramic scaffolds. Chitin (CHN), chitosan (CHS) and chitosangelatin (CH-G) scaffolds were fabricated on the surface of ceramic disks, coated with a mixture of a bioactive glass modified ceramic. Cell proliferation was evaluated with the MTS method. All composite ceramic scaffolds were successfully loaded with PDLF cells. However, only in CH-G composite ceramicscaffolds cell population progressively increased until day 7 and presented a sudden drop at day 10 before being stabilized for the rest of the testing period. In the case of CHN and CHS the cell number was progressively decreasing. The successful observed cellular response in CH-G composite ceramic scaffolds could support the development of a protocol for tissue engineering on the materials used.