3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA)/polymethyl silsesquioxane (PMSQ)-based scaffolds coated with vitamin E microparticles for the application of wound healing

Skin is part of the integumentary and excretory system, which helps protect the body against infections. The skin should be properly treated when it gets injured, which requires a long healing process. In this study, 15% (w/v) polylactic acid (PLA) and 1 and 2% (w/v) polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) scaffolds were fabricated using 3D printing technology, and the surfaces of each scaffold were coated with 5% ethylcellulose (EC)/vitamin E microparticles using the electrospray method. The morphologies of the scaffolds were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and results showed that the pore sizes of the scaffolds ranged from 136 to 265 mu m. The vitamin E was completely released from the scaffolds within 5 h. MTT test was performed with fibroblast cells and results proved the biocompatibility of the scaffolds. These findings showed that the scaffolds may have good potential as a wound dressing material. The biodegradation test was performed in in vitro conditions and results showed that the surface coating with 5% EC/vitamin E microparticles on the 15% PLA/2% PMSQ scaffolds increased the degradation rate of the scaffolds.