Effect of vitamin E addition to poly(D,L)-lactic acid on surface properties and osteoblast behaviour

Vitamin E (Vit.E, alpha-tocoferol) is it natural agent with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and it has been suggested that it could act as a stimulating factor for osteoblast proliferation and maturation. We produced poly(D, L)-lactic acid films enriched with Vit.E (1, 5 and 10% w/w) and investigated their surface properties using the FTIR analysis, sessile measure of wettability and serum protein adsorption. and evaluated attachment and spreading of MC-3T3 E1 murine osteoblast cells. FTIR analysis showed the presence of Vit.E on the polymer surface and Vit.E increased the polymer wettability in a concentration-dependent manner. The serum total protein adsorption increased significantly onto the 10% Vit.E P(D, L)-LA and the main protein adsorbed was albumin. The presence of albumin, considered as an anti-adhesive protein. on the Surface of Vit.E enriched P(1),L)-LA films (especially 5 and 10% Vit.E) could explain. at least in part, the behaviour of MC-3T3 osteoblast cells seeded onto the polymers. Cell adhesion and spreading were strongly decreased by Vit.E (5 and M,() in spite of the increased wettability. This reaction could be cell type-specific. independent by the surface wettability and li (c) nked to cell-specific characteristics (membrane phospholipid composition, integrins expression). Moreover a direct effect or Vit.E on cell adhesion and spreading cannot be completely excluded. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.