Fabrication of platelet-rich plasma/silica scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Silica (SiO₂) and platelet-rich plasma are two biomaterials that have profound impacts on ossification. The objective of this study was to fabricate and characterize a platelet-rich plasma/silica composite to be used in bone repair. Human platelet-rich plasma was mixed with nanosilica and induced to form gel by calcium chloride (CaCl₂) supplementation. To cross-link the gel, glutaraldehyde was applied to the scaffolds. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to show any chemical change in the scaffold ingredients. The scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry methods were used to characterize the fabricated scaffolds. MG63 cell line viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The osteoblast functions were also evaluated by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red S staining. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs and energy-dispersive spectroscopy showed that silica nanoparticles were trapped within the fibrin fibers in both cross-linked and non-cross-linked scaffolds. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry revealed that the cross-linking procedure did not influence the amount of silica released into the medium. Silica-containing scaffolds provided a superior environment for cell proliferation and osteoblast activity. Platelet-rich plasma/silica scaffold can be considered as an autologous vehicle with appropriate features for bone tissue engineering.