Effect of low doses of gamma radiation on cell growth over an electrospun polycaprolactone/zinc acetate scaffold for biomedical applications

The objective of the present study was to generate functional biomaterials to repair and re-establish damaged tissues by producing porous biopolymeric PCL/zinc acetate scaffolds using the electrospinning technique and studying the effect of low doses of gamma radiation on cell proliferation. In electrospinning, ultrafine fibers are spun in a high-voltage electrostatic field. The electrospun structure has natural tissue morphology, which is distinguished by high porosity, a broad variety of pore diameters, efficient mechanical qualities, and the ability to promote cell proliferation and adhesion. PCL/zinc acetate scaffold was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Then, they were sterilized by ionizing radiation (gamma radiation) with a dose of 30 KGy for the cell culture part. Scaffold biocompatibility tests were carried out by using Vero cells. Cells grown on scaffolds were irradiated with doses of 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 Gy gamma radiation. Cell viability was examined using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, SEM, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) content. The results proved that cell viability was increased after gamma-irradiation with 0.5 Gy compared to control (without gamma-irradiation), then decreased with other doses (1, 2.5, and 5 Gy), while the dose of 5 Gy caused the least cell viability. Finally, it was concluded that the nanofiber PCL/zinc acetate scaffold could be successfully fabricated by using the electrospinning technique, and it was biocompatible with Vero cells.