Impact of Hydroxyapatite on Gelatin/Oxidized Alginate 3D-Printed Cryogel Scaffolds

This study examines the effects of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on 3D-printed gelatin/oxidized alginate cryogel scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Scaffolds with 5% HAp demonstrated improved mechanical properties, shape fidelity, and bone tissue formation, with a Young's modulus of 18 kPa compared to 11 kPa for HAp-free scaffolds. Increasing HAp to 10% slightly enhanced mechanical strength to 21 kPa but compromised shape fidelity without additional osteogenic benefits. All scaffolds showed excellent cytocompatibility and supported osteogenic differentiation with mesenchymal stem cells, indicating their potential for bone tissue engineering applications.