3D printing and physicochemical and biological characterizations of gallium-containing magnesium/calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds

In this study, gallium-containing magnesium/calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds (G-MCP) were prepared by sintering the mixtures of gallium-doped tricalcium phosphate and trimagnesium phosphate at low temperatures (950 and 1000 degrees C), and their pore structure was formed by the extrusion-type 3D printing method. The G-MCP ceramic scaffolds were dominated by the gallium/magnesium-doped Ca3Mg3(PO4)4 phase. The G-MCP ceramic scaffolds sintered at 950 degrees C attained considerably high compressive strength (5.0-13.2 MPa) as well as porosity (63.7%-72.1%). When the sintering temperature increased to 1000 degrees C, the G-MCP ceramic scaffolds achieved tremendous increase in compressive strength (38.3-94.3 MPa), which was concomitant with significant decrease in porosity (46.2%-48.7%). Benefiting from the release of gallium, magnesium and calcium ions, the G-MCP ceramic scaffolds noticeably stimulated in vitro cell growth and osteoblastic differentiation, and distinctively obstructed the osteoclastic differentiation. The G-MCP ceramic scaffolds are promising for effectively treating the osteoporotic bone defects.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared gallium-containing magnesium/calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds and investigated their performance at different sintering temperatures. The results showed that the compressive strength and porosity of the scaffolds could be controlled by varying the sintering temperature, and the release of ions stimulated cell growth and osteoblastic differentiation in vitro.