Synthesis and characterization of poly (lactic acid)- poly (glycerol azelaic acid) scaffolds for application in adipose tissue engineering

Background: Adipose tissue engineering has become a key focus due to the need for substitutes to replace damaged soft tissue caused by burns, deformities, or tumor removal. Polylactic acid (PLA) is commonly used for tissue engineering, but its inferior mechanical properties and slow degradation limit its applications. This study aimed to develop 3D porous scaffolds made of poly (glycerol azelaic acid) (PGAZ) and PLA blends, designed for adipose tissue engineering, with mechanical and biological properties similar to natural adipose tissue. Materials and methods: PLA and PGAZ were synthesized using a solvent casting/particle leaching technique. Different ratios of PLA/PGAZ (100/0, 70/30, 10/90) were prepared. The scaffolds were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and mechanical testing. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) were cultured on the scaffolds to evaluate cell attachment, viability, and adipogenic differentiation. Results: The fabricated scaffolds showed high porosity, with pore sizes ranging from 103 to 155 mu m. Increasing the PGAZ ratio enhanced the scaffold's hydrophilicity and PBS absorption, reaching 123.91 % in the PLA-PGAZ-90 sample. Mechanical testing revealed that PLA-PGAZ-90 had the highest flexibility, while the PLA scaffold exhibited the highest stiffness. Cell attachment and viability assays demonstrated significant cell proliferation on PLA-PGAZ scaffolds, particularly in the PLA-PGAZ-30 and PLA-PGAZ-90 samples. Adipogenic differentiation markers, such as PPARG and CEBPA, were significantly upregulated in the PLA-PGAZ-90 group. Conclusions: The PLA-PGAZ scaffolds exhibited favorable biological and mechanical properties, supporting cell attachment, proliferation, and adipogenic differentiation. The high porosity and hydrophilicity of the PGAZcontaining scaffolds make them promising candidates for adipose tissue engineering applications. The study suggests that PLA-PGAZ scaffolds are suitable for developing bioactive tissue constructs for adipose tissue regeneration.