Metastable FeMg particles for controlling degradation rate, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of Poly(l-lactic) acid (PLLA) for orthopedic applications

ESTRADA MOYANO R; MULTIGNER M; FAGALI NS; LOZANO PUERTO RM; MUÑOZ M; CIFUENTES S; TORRES B; LIEBLICH M

Heliyon

Elsevier

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023 vol. 9

2405-8440

Poly(l-lactic) acid (PLLA) is commonly used in bioabsorbable medical implants, but itsuffers from slow degradation rate and rapid decline in mechanical properties fororthopedic applications. To address this drawback, recent research has explored the useof Mg as a filler for PLLA, resulting in composites with improved degradation rate andcytocompatibility compared to neat PLLA. In this study, FeMg powder particles wereproposed as fillers for PLLA to investigate the potential of PLLA/FeMg composites forbioabsorbable implants. Cylinder specimens of PLLA, PLLA/Fe, PLLA/Mg andPLLA/FeMg were prepared using solvent casting followed by thermo-molding. Themicrostructure, thermal behavior, in vitro degradation behavior in simulated body fluid,mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of these composites were examined. Theresults indicate that the presence of FeMg particles prevents the deterioration of thecomposite mechanical properties, at least up to 14 days. Once a certain amount ofdegradation of the composite is reached, the degradation is faster than that of PLLA.Direct cytotoxicity assays revealed that pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells successfullyadhered to and proliferated on the PLLA/FeMg surface. The inclusion of a low percentageof Mg into the Fe lattice not only accelerated the degradation rate of Fe but also improvedits cytocompatibility. The enhanced degradation rate, mechanical properties, andosteoconductive properties of this composite make it a promising option for temporaryorthopedic biomedical devices.