Comparison of Autografts and Biodegradable 3D-Printed Composite Scaffolds with Osteoconductive Properties for Tissue Regeneration in Bone Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis remains one of the major health problems worldwide. Besides the lungs, tuberculosis affects other organs, including bones and joints. In the case of bone tuberculosis, current treatment protocols include necrectomy in combination with conventional anti-tuberculosis therapy, followed by reconstruction of the resulting bone defects. In this study, we compared autografting and implantation with a biodegradable composite scaffold for bone-defect regeneration in a tuberculosis rabbit model. Porous three-dimensional composite materials were prepared by 3D printing and consisted of poly(ε-caprolactone) filled with nanocrystalline cellulose modified with poly(glutamic acid). In addition, rabbit mesenchymal stem cells were adhered to the surface of the composite scaffolds. The developed tuberculosis model was verified by immunological subcutaneous test, real-time polymerase chain reaction, biochemical markers and histomorphological study. Infected animals were randomly divided into three groups, representing the infection control and two experimental groups subjected to necrectomy, anti-tuberculosis treatment, and plastic surgery using autografts or 3D-composite scaffolds. The lifetime observation of the experimental animals and analysis of various biochemical markers at different time periods allowed the comparison of the state of the animals between the groups. Micro-computed tomography and histomorphological analysis enabled the evaluation of osteogenesis, inflammation and cellular changes between the groups, respectively.