Riboflavin cross-linking of collagen porous scaffolds for periodontal regeneration

 

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Article Title: Riboflavin cross-linking of collagen porous scaffolds for periodontal regeneration
Authors: Seciu A-M., Gaspar A., Stefan L.M., Moldovan L., Craciunescu O., Zarnescu
Affiliation: 1National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania  2Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Romania
Abstract: Periodontitis treatment using occlusive membranes presented variable efficacy due to their rapid degradation in the complex biologic environment of the damaged periodontium. The aim of this study was to prepare novel composites based on collagen, chondroitin sulfate and fibronectin, and to establish the optimal parameters for their photochemical cross-linking using riboflavin and UV exposure. The degree of cross-linking, biodegradability and density of all scaffold variants were investigated. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated in a culture of gingival fibroblasts by MTT assay and light microscopy. The results indicated that the higher the cross-linking degree, the lower was the scaffold biodegradation. Cell culture studies showed that composite scaffolds were favorable for cellular survival. In conclusion, the cross-linking method using riboflavin and UV exposure resulted in stable and biocompatible collagen-based composite scaffolds that could be used for periodontitis treatment.
Keywords: periodontitis, cross-linking, cytotoxicity, collagen, riboflavin, scaffold.
*Correspondence: Dr. Oana Craciunescu, National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, 296, Splaiul Independentei, sector 6, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, Tel./Fax +40-21-2200882, Email: oana_craciunescu2009@yahoo.com