| Abstract Scope |
Additively manufactured calcium phosphate scaffolds are attractive for bone repair because they combine osteoconductive ceramic chemistry with controlled architecture. Localized delivery of bioactive compounds may further improve tissue integration, vascular response, and early bone formation. Acemannan, an aloe-derived polysaccharide, has been studied for regenerative applications, but its use with 3D-printed bioceramic scaffolds remains limited. In this study, DLP-printed TCP and TCP-2.5 wt.% 45S5 bioglass scaffolds were fabricated as ceramic bone graft platforms. TCP-bioglass scaffolds were loaded with acemannan by post-sintering drop casting at 1 mg/scaffold. Acemannan incorporation was confirmed by FTIR, and release testing evaluated scaffold-based delivery. In a rat distal femur defect model, TCP-bioglass-acemannan scaffolds improved tissue organization and marrow-like tissue formation after 6 weeks. qPCR showed increased RUNX2, ALPL, and VEGF expression by 4.1-, 4.3-, and 3.2-fold, respectively, while TRAP decreased by 23%, supporting acemannan-loaded TCP-bioglass scaffolds for bone regeneration. |