Enhancing Biocompatibility and Biophysical Properties of Three-Dimensional Collagen Scaffolds Using Nonthermal Plasma Treatment

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds are extensively utilized in tissue engineering for their excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity; however, their poor mechanical stiffness typically requires further physical or chemical modifications to enhance their structural integrity for clinical applications. We investigate the effects of nonthermal plasma (NTP) treatment; an emerging technology commonly used in the biomedical field for surface modifications, sterilization, and wound healing. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to evaluate the surface characteristics, biophysical properties, and biocompatibility of the 3D CG scaffolds treated with NTP for 2 and 5 min, compared with untreated controls. Histological and SEM analyses demonstrated thickening of the scaffold pore struts and an increase in porosity, while Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the native chemical composition of the scaffolds remained intact and unchanged following NTP exposure. Post-treatment, the scaffolds exhibited increased hydrophilicity demonstrated by a reduced contact angle. Mechanical testing showed significant improvements in the scaffold's compression modulus, with increases of approximately 16.7% and 14.5% for 2 min and 5 min treatments, respectively ( p In vitro biocompatibility assays indicated increased metab

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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