Preparation and In Vitro Osteogenic Evaluation of Biomimetic Hybrid Nanocomposite Scaffolds Based on Gelatin/Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) and Lithium-Doped 45s5 Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles

Bone tissue engineering is an emerging technique for repairing large bone lesions. Biomimetic techniques expand the use of organic–inorganic spongy-like nanocomposite scaffolds and platelet concentrates. In this study, a biomimetic nanocomposite scaffold was prepared using lithium-doped bioactive-glass nanoparticles and gelatin/PRGF. First, sol–gel method was used to prepare bioactive-glass nanoparticles that contain 0, 1, 3, and 5%wt lithium. The lithium content was then optimized based on antibacterial and MTT testing. By freeze-drying, hybrid scaffolds comprising 5, 10, and 20% bioglass were made. On the scaffolds, human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) were cultured for adhesion (SEM), survival, and osteogenic differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase activity and osteopontin, osteocalcin, and Runx2 gene expression were measured. The effect of bioactive-glass nanoparticles and PRGF on nanocomposites' mechanical characteristics and glass-transition temperature (T_g) was also studied. An optimal lithium content in bioactive glass structure was found to be 3% wt. Nanoparticle SEM examination indicated grain deformation due to different sizes of lithium and sodium ions. Results showed up to 10% wt bioactive-glass and PRGF increased survival and cell adhesion. Also, Hybrid scaffolds revealed higher ALP-activity and OP, OC, and Runx2 gene expression. Furthermore, bioactive-glass has mainly increased ALP-activity and Runx2 expression, whereas PRGF increases the expression of OP and OC genes. Bioactive-glass increases scaffold modulus and T_g continuously. Hence, the presence of both bioactive-glass and nanocomposite scaffold improves the expression of osteogenic differentiation biomarkers. Subsequently, it seems that hybrid scaffolds based on biopolymers, Li-doped bioactive-glass, and platelet extracts can be a good strategy for bone repair. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]