Polyphosphazenes with amino acid ester as side groups are biocompatible polymers that could provide
valid scaffolds for cell growth. In the present study we investigate the adhesion and growth of osteoblasts
obtained from rat bone marrow on matrices composed of thin fibers of poly[bis(ethyl alanato)phosphazene]
(PAlaP), poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA), or PAlaP/PDLLA blend. Our data show that scaffolds
of PAlaP or PAlaP/PDLLA blend enhanced the cell adhesion and growth in comparison with that observed
in cultures seeded on polystyrene tissue culture plates. Although collagenase-digestible protein
synthesis remained unchanged, all scaffolds induced a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting
that osteoblasts are in the proliferation phase. Both PAlaP and PAlaP blended with PDLLA
may represent a new and interesting substrate for bone tissue engineering.
