"Evaluating the Effects of Mechanical and Electrical Stimuli on Osteoblast Mineralization in Dynamic Cell Cultures"

Introduction:
Functional xenografts are gaining momentum in tissue engineering because of their ability to replicate the complex microenvironment of native bone, where osteoblast function is influenced by mechanical loading and endogenous piezoelectric potentials generated by collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds incorporating piezoelectric ceramics such as barium titanate (BaTiO₃) represent a promising approach to reproduce these cues. By converting applied stress into localized electrical signals at the cell–material interface, these scaffolds may activate osteogenic pathways. Characterizing their mechanical and physicochemical properties is therefore essential for assessing their translational potential.

Methods:
PLLA scaffolds (8–10 wt%) with 10 wt% BaTiO₃ were fabricated using thermally induced phase separation and freeze-drying. Morphological evaluation was performed with SEM, while BaTiO₃ dispersion was quantified using ImageJ analysis. Mechanical testing under uniaxial compression provided Young’s modulus values. Osteoblast viability was assessed with MTT assays, and confocal microscopy was employed to observe mineralization.

Results:
SEM confirmed interconnected pores with uniform distribution, with 10 wt% PLLA scaffolds achieving optimal porosity (85.3 ± 2.1%). ImageJ analysis demonstrated homogeneous BaTiO₃ distribution, with 92.4 ± 3.7% surface coverage. Mechanical characterization revealed a Young’s modulus of 1.47 ± 0.12 GPa for 10 wt% PLLA scaffolds, a value closely approximating trabecular bone. Biological assays indicated high osteoblast viability (>95%) across groups. Confocal microscopy revealed early mineralization in BaTiO₃-containing scaffolds, suggesting enhanced osteogenic activity.

Conclusions:
The PLLA–BaTiO₃ composite scaffolds exhibit favorable porosity, mechanical resilience, and cytocompatibility, supporting their application in bone regeneration. The combination of homogeneous BaTiO₃ dispersion and bone-mimetic mechanical properties underscores their potential as piezoelectric scaffolds for dental and orthopedic use. Future studies will focus on validating these findings under dynamic bioreactor conditions and conducting statistical comparisons of osteogenic outcomes.