Abstract
Composite films made from poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and negative ion powder (NIP, opal powder) were fabricated and the growth of human osteoblasts cultured in vitro on these composite films was assessed. The surface properties of the composite film and the control (100% PLLA) were investigated by contact angle and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The former indicated that hydrophilicity did not change significantly, whereas the latter indicated that the surface of the composite films was not as smooth as the control, but without holes or caves. After osteoblast cells were seeded on the composite and control films, the cell densities and the morphology on these films were studied by light microscopy and SEM. The differential function of the cells was assessed by testing their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. These results indicate that the addition of powder improved the adhesion between the osteoblasts and the composite films. The improvement came from the negative ions which were given off by the negative ion powder. The mechanism of negative ion was reviewed and a model of the mechanism was developed. This paper provides the first evidence that negative powder (functional material) can be used to fabricate composite films with PLLA for better cell growth.
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