Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42029947›Full record

ArticleJournal of materials science. Materials in medicine2026

3D-printed PCL scaffolds: optimising material selection for specific bone regeneration applications.

Izabella Rajzer, Renata Novotna, Anna Kurowska, Jarosław Janusz, Janusz Fabia, Adam Jabłoński, Wojciech Piekarczyk, Oscar Castano, Magdalena Ziąbka, Jana Frankova

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Izabella RajzerFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Renata NovotnaDepartment of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia.
Anna KurowskaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Jarosław JanuszFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Janusz FabiaFaculty of Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Adam JabłońskiFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Wojciech PiekarczykDepartment of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Kraków, Poland.
Oscar CastanoElectronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
Magdalena ZiąbkaDepartment of Ceramics and Refractories, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Kraków, Poland.
Jana FrankovaDepartment of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia. jana.frankova@upol.cz.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9344-3569

Funding

Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-124575OB-I00Grantová Agentura České Republiky 21-45449LNarodowe Centrum Nauki 2020/39/I/ST5/00569
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Significant clinical challenges are posed by large bone defects, necessitating the use of scaffolds that combine mechanical stability with osteoinductive properties. While polycaprolactone (PCL) lends itself well to 3D printing, its limited bioactivity means it needs to be modified with bioactive additives. Various additives have been proposed to enhance PCL scaffolds, but a systematic comparative evaluation of their mechanical and biological effects is lacking. This hinders the optimal selection of materials for specific applications. In this study, we compared the effects of four additives-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), osteogenon (OST), zinc oxide (ZnO) and vitroceramic calcium phosphate (CaPNPs)-when incorporated at a concentration of 0.5 wt% into 3D-printed PCL scaffolds. We comprehensively evaluated the mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, and osteoblast biocompatibility using tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, and SaOS-2 cell culture assays (MTT test, activity of alkaline phosphatase, production of collagen I and fluorescent staining with acridine orange or phalloidin). ZnO modification significantly enhanced the mechanical properties (834% strain at break versus 658% for pure PCL and an increased Young's modulus), as well as supporting cell viability (87 and 85%). Meanwhile, CaPNPs demonstrated the highest level of early-stage cell viability (103% after 24 h), although this was not statistically significant. All additives exhibited non-cytotoxic profiles with >80% cell viability and demonstrated time-dependent increases in alkaline phosphatase activity, but further evaluation for clinical application is essential. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for selecting PCL scaffold additives based on specific application requirements: ZnO is optimal for mechanically demanding applications, while CaPNPs could be optimal for facilitating rapid cell integration.

Indexed as

Bone RegenerationPolyestersPrinting, Three-DimensionalTissue ScaffoldsBiocompatible MaterialsCalcium PhosphatesCell SurvivalHumansMaterials TestingMetal NanoparticlesOsteoblastsSilverTensile StrengthTissue EngineeringZinc OxideBiocompatible Materialscalcium phosphateCalcium PhosphatespolycaprolactonePolyestersSilverZinc Oxide

Identifiers

PMID42029947
PMCPMC13246807

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.