Functional recovery evaluated by two scales was better and was achieved in less time with the PPy/I + SW/EE combination. Eight weeks after TSCI, the general health of the animals that received any of the treatments was better than the control animals. Adult rats with TSCI were divided into no treatment (control) biopolymer (PPy/I) mixed RB by swimming and enriched environment (SW/EE) and combined treatment (PPy/I + SW/EE) groups. The present study evaluated if the plasma-synthesized PPy/I applied in combination with RB could increase its beneficial effects and the mechanisms involved. The development of biomaterials has provided therapeutic possibilities for TSCI, where our research group previously showed that the plasma-synthesized polypyrrole/iodine (PPy/I), a biopolymer with different physicochemical characteristics than those of the PPy synthesized by conventional methods, promotes recovery of motor function after TSCI. Rehabilitation (RB) is currently the only accepted treatment, although its beneficial effect is limited. Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) can cause paralysis and permanent disability. Our results show that PLA/HA/Pyrrole/Iodine matrices are favorable for bone tissue engineering. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fibers were coated with polypyrrole doped with iodine, and MTT assay demonstrated this increased cell proliferation and significantly improved cell viability due to the adhesive properties of the polymer. The matrices we obtained were formed by nano and microfibers containing up to 35.7 wt% HA, presenting a variety of apparent pore sizes to allow for the passage of nutrients to bone cells. Cells were isolated, seeded and cultured on biomaterials for periods between 7 and 28 days. Additionally, we report the effects of modifying these matrices through plasma polymerization of pyrrole on the growth and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stem cells. In this study, we report the generation of electrospun matrices with osteoconductive properties and porosity using the combination of a biodegradable polyester, polylactic acid (PLA), and hydroxyapatite (HA). Conclusion: We hypothesize that the apparently limited development of dendritic and/or axonal processes could produce a deleterious effect on the electrophysiological response of the cells, which might be due to the limited growth surface available in the fibrous scaffolds and/or to an undesired effect of the purification process.Ĭomposite biomaterials are solids that contain two or more different materials, combining the properties of their components to restore or improve the function of tissues.
Results: From a morphological viewpoint, motoneurons cultured on PLA and PPy-coated PLA scaffolds did not show the development of dendritic and/or axonal processes, which were satisfactorily observed in the bidimensional cultures. While the expression of the VAChaT was confirmed on motoneurons cultured on the fibrous scaffolds, the electrophysiological responses indicated Na + and K + currents with lower amplitude and slower action potentials when compared to the response recorded from spinal cord motoneurons cultured on Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin-and plasma-polymerized PPy-coated coverslips.
Methods: The functionality of the cultured motoneurons was assessed by evaluating both the electrophysiological response (i.e., the whole-cell Na + and K + currents and the firing of action potentials) and also the expression of the VAChaT by immunostaining techniques. In this work, we developed a 3D model of mouse spinal cord motoneurons on scaffolds composed of electrospun PLA fibers and plasma-polymerized PPy-coated PLA fibers. Background: Biomaterials used as cell growth stimulants should be able to provide adequate cell adhesion with no alteration in cell function.