Fish scale derived hydroxyapatite incorporated 3D printed PLA scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Bone defect repair, particularly in the alveolar region, remains a significant hurdle in periodontics. In recent years, the spotlight in regenerative medicine has fallen on 3D-printed bone scaffolds, especially those constructed of polylactic acid (PLA) infused with hydroxyapatite. This research introduced a novel approach by developing a 3D-printed PLA scaffold enriched with hydroxyapatite derived from fish skin waste (FSHA). Mechanical compression tests revealed that the 3D-printed PLA-FSHA scaffolds had a compressive strength (13.4 +/- 5.53 MPa) in the same ballpark as their reference PLA counterparts (20.3 +/- 1.08 MPa). Scanning electron micrographs highlighted an average pore size in the scaffold (572 +/- 33 mu m) conducive to angiogenesis and facilitating cell migration and proliferation. In vitro, cytotoxicity was ascertained using the MTT assay on L929 fibroblast cells. Further in vitro cytocompatibility assessments through actin-DAPI staining and measurements of bone regeneration markers - alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and osteopontin-demonstrated that the PLA-FSHA scaffolds not only were biocompatible but also showcased performance on par with the commercial graft, osseograft. This lays the foundation for future in vivo evaluations of bone regenerative capabilities. Discover the innovative approach of utilizing fish scales to derive hydroxyapatite, coupled with a 3D printed PLA scaffold, paving a novel avenue for bone tissue engineering.