Fabrication and characterizations of 3D printed GelMA-Gel/bioactive glass scaffolds containing cerium for bone damage repair.

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and bioactive glasses (BGs) have attracted considerable scientific interest as scaffold materialsin bone tissue engineering, particularly for their structural applications in bone repair procedures. Cerium (Ce) can be incorporated into BGs, demonstrating beneficial effects on osteogenesis and regenerative processes. In this study, we fabricated GelMA-Gel scaffolds using a 3D printing method and evaluated the impact of BG and BG/Ce inclusion through in vitro and in vivo assessments. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed an interconnected porous structure within the scaffolds. The incorporation of Ce appeared to enhance the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Additionally, the inclusion of Ce did not induce cytotoxicity and positively influenced the viability and proliferation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells while enhancing alkaline phosphatase secretion compared to other samples. No edema or erythema response was observed in the Guinea Pig Maximization Test (GPMT) following the implantation of GelMA-Gel-BG/Ce scaffolds. Implantation of the scaffolds into cranial bone defects in rats over 12 weeks demonstrated enhanced bone formation and mineralization, as evidenced by histological staining. The results indicate that the GelMA-Gel-BG/Ce scaffold is biocompatible and capable of promoting bone regeneration, highlighting its potential as an effective implant for addressing bone injuries.