INTRODUCTION: Cartilage damage is a highly observed clinical situation in orthopaedic treatments. Although there are traditional treatments known as autografting and allografting techniques, they have risk factors such as donor site morbidity, infections and immunogenic reactions[1,2]. Recently, studies have focused on tissue engineering applications as alternative methods to replace surgical procedures. In this study, it was aimed to fabricate bioactive Helix aspersa extract loaded chitosan scaffolds with slime and mucus incorporation and to investigate the composite structures in terms of physical, morphological and biological compatibility for bone-cartilage regeneration.

METHODS: Chitosan-slime and chitosan-mucus scaffolds were prepared with snail (Helix aspersa) secretions at different amounts (0.5%, 1% and 3%). Scaffolds were fabricated via lyophilization method. Morphology of scaffolds were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and chemical composition by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). In addition, swelling ratio test, open porosity determination, biodegradation test, biomechanical analysis (compression tests) and antimicrobial tests for five different strains were performed. In vitro bioactivity of chitosan-slime and chitosan-mucus scaffolds has been investigated with Saos-2 and SW 1353 proliferation. Osteogenic effect of extracts is investigated with ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and biomineralization, whereas, chondrogenic potential of scaffolds is evaluated with GAG assay, hydroxyproline content and COMP assay.

RESULTS: As a result, scaffolds containing snail extracts have been produced as intended. As the extract incorporation in polymer matrix increased, the mechanical strength was enhanced, and biodegradation rate increased. However, swelling ratio of chitosan scaffolds decreased with extract incorporation. SEM images showed that the pore size of the scaffolds decreased with higher extract content when compared to control group. Furthermore, porosity of all scaffold groups was obtained above 80%. The antimicrobial tests indicated that snail extracts showed antimicrobial effect on two bacterial strains out of five.

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: The scaffolds which have produced for bone and cartilage provided antimicrobial characteristics as well as suitable morphological and mechanical properties.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors are greatful to Izmir Institute of Technology (Iztech) Biotechnology and Bioengineering Research and Application Center (IZTECH BIOMER) for antimicrobial tests and FT-IR analysis, Center for Material Research (IZTECH CMR) for SEM imaging.

REFERENCES

[1] Temenoff JS et al. Biomaterials 2000;21:431-34

[2] O’Driscoll SW J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80:1795-812.