"in Vitro" Calcification Of Silk Fibroin Hydrogel

Silk fibroin hydrogels were prepared and their potential to deposit calcium phosphates in vitro was observed. Pristine and lyophilized samples were tested in 1.5×SBF and 1.5×SBF. The results showed that silk fibroin hydrogels can induce calcium phosphate deposits both in the pristine and lyophilized form. However, the pristine silk fibroin hydrogel after calcification presented a fragile structure making it difficult to handle, while the lyophilized samples presented better resistance to handling. Calcium phosphates deposits were intense in samples submitted to tests in 1.5×SBF, however, few and isolated deposits were observed on samples submitted to tests in 1×SBF. The 3-D porous structure and the ability to deposit calcium phosphates, turn silk fibroin hydrogel a potential material suitable to use in biomimetic processes.361-363 I503506Takeuchi, A., Ohtsuki, C., Miyasaki, T., (2003) J. Biomed. Mater. Res., A, 65, p. 283Takeuchi, A., Ohtsuki, C., Miyasaki, T., (2003) Key Eng. Mater, 240-242, p. 31Aimoli, C.G., Torres, M.A., Beppu, M.M., (2006) Mater. Sci. Eng., C, 26, p. 78Nazarov, R., Jin, H., Kaplan, D.L., (2004) Biomacromolecules, 5, p. 718Meinel, L., Betz, O., Fajardo, R., (2006) Bone, 39, p. 922Altiman, G.H., Diaz, F., Jacuba, C., (2003) Biomaterials, 24, p. 401Beppu, M.M., Torres, M.A., Aimoli, C.G., (2005) J. Mater. Res, 20, p. 3303Aimoli, C.G., Beppu, M.M., (2006) Colloids Surf., B, 53, p. 1