Abstract: Objective: To prepare Zn/polylactic-co-glycolic acid/hydroxylapatite(Zn/PLGA/HA) composite scaffolds with different zinc contents and evaluate the adhesion of dental pulp stem cells on Zn/PLGA/HA composite scaffolds. Methods: Zn/PLGA/HA composite scaffolds with different zinc contents (0.5, 1 and 2wt%) and HA(20wt%) content were fabricated by solvent casting and particulate leaching technology.The control group was fabricated with PLGA and 20% HA without Zinc.The surface structure of the scaffolds was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The tensile strength of the scaffolds was detected by an electro-mechanical universal testing machine.Human dental pulp stem cells were cultured with Zn/PLGA/HA composite scaffolds with different zinc contents.The cell adhesion ability was measured by DAPI staining. Results: The tensile strengths of 1% and 2% Zn groups were higher than that of control group(P<0.05). The scaffolds showed high porosity (87.6%) and the pores were highly interconnected.The pore size was 158~372 μm. The cell adhesion ability in 0.5% Zn group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: One and two percent Zn groups show a higher tensile strength, while the adhesion ability of hDPSCs in 0.5% Zn group is better in vitro, which provides a theoretical basis for zinc-containing scaffold in tissue engineering.

Key words: Zinc, PLGA, HA, Human dental pulp stem cells, Tissue engineering