Oxidized cellulose/bioglass hydrogel as a new bioink matrix for application in regenerative medicine

Blends of polymers and ceramic materials have been increasingly researched for the development of hydrogels and bioinks, in an attempt to develop resistant, biocompatible, and bioactive materials that interact with host tissues and promote tissue regeneration. Herein, the novel bioink composed of chemically oxidized cellulose gel and bioglass was prepared and analyzed. The cellulose from sugar cane bagasse was chemically treated with TEMPO reagent in order to generate the oxidized cellulose gel, the bioglass was prepared using a standard sol-gel procedure. The proposed bioink composition is totally new, and was planned to associate the good features of both these materials, namely the good mechanical properties of cellulose and the bioactivity of the bioglass. The interaction of the negative charges of the carboxylic acid from oxidized cellulose with the positive charges from calcium ions in liquid environment, encouraged the preparation of these unique bioink. The bioink was prepared by blending the oxidized cellulose gel loaded with MG63 bone cells with the bioglass. Rheology results indicated the good mechanical properties of the bioink. Biological characterization indicated that cells can keep viable within the bioink until ten days. DAPI staining confirmed the homogeneous distribution of cells within the bioink and alizarin red showed the capability of the bioink to produce mineralized matrix. These results indicate the potential of this new biomaterial and technology for advances in bioink development.