Polyvinyl alcohol/Bioactive glasses hybrid scaffolds containing cobalt as a potential strategy for Angiogenesis

Full text: One class of biomaterials studied for use in angiogenesis is hybrid materials. Bioactive glasses (BGs) have a variable and highly flexible composition, allowing the incorporation of metallic ions with therapeutic effect (1). Cobalt (Co) presents great potential for incorporation into the structure of bioactive glasses, since it may influence the formation of new blood vessels (2). The need for alternatives to repair or replace living tissues have generated a search for superior materials. Objective: The main objective of this work was to synthesize PVA and BG hybrid scaffolds with new compositions in the SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅-CoO system, by the sol-gel method, and to investigate the effects of Co incorporation on its structure, to obtain angiogenic properties in a material with controlled release capacity of this ion. Methodology: The hybrid scaffolds obtained were subjected to the strict characterization through ICP-OES, FTIR, MicroCT, XRD, SEM, EDS and compression test analyzes. Results and Discussion: Hybrid scaffolds with BGs containing 5% and 10% Co were obtained, and the composition was confirmed by chemical analysis (ICP-OES and FTIR). The porous three dimensional structure was characterized by MicroCT. The porosities and interconnectivities obtained are within values favorable for the cellular environment. XRD analyzes showed amorphous phase with some crystalline peaks compatible with calcium fluoride. SEM images showed microporous and macroporous surface corroborating with structural MicroCT results and compression tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that functional hybrid scaffolds produced with cobalt incorporation into their structure are potential strategies to obtain auxiliary materials for angiogenesis. References: (1) Barrioni, B. R. et al. Ceramics International, 44, 20337-20347 (2018); (2) Birgani, Z. T. et al. Biomedical materials, 11, 1-15 (2016). (author)