Poly(Lactic Acid) Production for Tissue Engineering Applications
摘要
The polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable (bioabsorbable) biopolymer, which means it is capable of breaking down in vivo and in vitro conditions without causing damage to the biological systems; hence, PLA is a biopolymer very studied in the preparation of scaffolds employed in the tissue engineering. However, it has some disadvantages such as excessive brittleness, poor osteointegration, low cell adhesion, and biological inertness; in fact, depending on the applications of PLA, it has a low degradation rate. Thus, the applications are limited. Usually the polymer is blended with another biodegradable polymer or agents to avoid these disadvantages. The chapter affords a comprehensive description of the various processes and techniques involved in the preparation of biomaterials using PLA as the base material. Additionally, the chapter delves into PLA and its blend with other polymers or both, chemical and physical agents, to improve its properties according to the needs of the tissue that will be repaired. By exploring these advancements, this chapter aims to share the potential of biomaterials prepared with PLA, which can be a promising solution in tissue regeneration and repair.