Effect of dielectric barrier discharge plasma on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts cultured over poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

We report the use of DBD plasma to improve the osteoblast cells adhesion and proliferation on PCL scaffolds. The effects of plasma treatment were characterized by surface energy, surface topography, and surface biocompatibility. The PCL film treated for 5 min showed the highest degree of total surface energy, mouse osteoblast cell proliferation and surface roughness. It is demonstrated that the oxygen plasma treatment not only enhances the hydrophilicity and increases solid surface energy, surface roughness of PCL but also improves the initial attachment and the proliferation of osteoblasts on the PCL substrate.