Preparation and characterization of vancomycin releasing PHBV coated 45S5 Bioglass®-based glass–ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Porous 45S5 Bioglass®-based glass–ceramic scaffolds with high porosity (96%) and interconnected pore structure (average pore size 300 μm) were prepared by foam replication method. In order to improve the mechanical properties and to incorporate a drug release function, the scaffolds were coated with a drug loaded solution, consisting of PHBV and vancomycin. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were significantly improved by the PHBV coating. The bioactivity of scaffolds upon immersion in SBF was maintained in PHBV coated scaffolds although the formation of hydroxyapatite was slightly retarded by the presence of the coating. The encapsulated drug in coated scaffolds was released in a sustained manner (99.9% in 6 days) as compared to the rapid release (99.5% in 3 days) of drug directly adsorbed on the uncoated scaffolds. The obtained drug loaded and bioactive composite scaffolds represent promising candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.