: Biocompatibility and degradation profile for hyaluronic acid coated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Bone defects are of significant concern due to increase in the median age of our population. Traditionally, bone autografts have been used to restore damaged bone. This requires a second surgical site with the possibility of complications and is best avoided. In bone tissue engineering, one possible approach is to utilize biomaterial scaffolds to provide mechanical integrity and/or as a carrier vehicle to deliver cells or growth factors.
Our aim is to evaluate the biocompatibility, local host response and degradation profile for poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) scaffolds modified with hyaluronic acid using rats subcutaneous model. This model is consider as a less invasive and will cause less distress to animals. Unfortunately, there are no in vitro possibilities to perform these tests and animals must be utilized. To minimize the number of animals used, 4 different scaffolds will be implanted into each animals, thereby reducing the number of animals required to perform statistical analysis by 75%. The procedure involves creating pockets on the back of the animals, near the flanks to decrease the animals discomfort as much as possible. 72 rats will be used divided into 3 time points and 3 groups, each group has 4 subgroup.
Our aim is to evaluate the biocompatibility, local host response and degradation profile for poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) scaffolds modified with hyaluronic acid using rats subcutaneous model. This model is consider as a less invasive and will cause less distress to animals. Unfortunately, there are no in vitro possibilities to perform these tests and animals must be utilized. To minimize the number of animals used, 4 different scaffolds will be implanted into each animals, thereby reducing the number of animals required to perform statistical analysis by 75%. The procedure involves creating pockets on the back of the animals, near the flanks to decrease the animals discomfort as much as possible. 72 rats will be used divided into 3 time points and 3 groups, each group has 4 subgroup.