Introduction: Hierarchical nanofibrous scaffolds are emerging as a promising bone repair material due to their high cell adhesion activity and nutrient permeability. However, the existing method for hierarchical nanofibrous scaffolds fabrication is complicated and not perfectly suitable for further biomedical application in view of both structure and function. In this study, we constructed a hierarchical nanofibrous poly (l-lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLLA/PCL) scaffold and further evaluated its bone healing ability. Methods: The hierarchical PLLA/PCL nanofibrous scaffold (PLLA/PCL) was prepared by one-pot TIPS and then rapidly mineralized at room temperature by an electrochemical deposition technique. After electrode-positioning at 2 V for 2 hrs, a scaffold coated with hydroxyapatite (M-PLLA/PCL) could be obtained. Results: The pore size of the M-PLLA/PCL scaffold was hierarchically distributed so as to match the biophysical structure for osteoblast growth. The M-PLLA/PCL scaffold showed better cell proliferation and osteogenesis activity compared to the PLLA/PCL scaffold. Further in vivo bone repair studies indicated that the M-PLLA/PCL scaffold could accelerate defect healing in 12 weeks. Conclusion: The results of this study implied that the as-prepared hydroxyapatite coated hierarchical PLLA/PCL nanofibrous scaffolds could be developed as a promising material for efficient bone tissue repair after carefully tuning the TIPS and electrodeposition parameters.
Keywords: bone repair; electrodeposition; hierarchical porous scaffold; mineralization.