Multi-porous electroactive poly(L-lactic acid)/polypyrrole composite micro/nano fibrous scaffolds promote neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

In this study, poly(L-lactic acid)/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole composite fibrous scaffolds with moderate conductivity were produced by combining electrospinning with in situ polymerization. PC12 cells were cultured on these fibrous scaffolds and their growth following electrical stimulation (0–20.0 μA stimulus intensity, for 1–4 days) was observed using inverted light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with the MTT cell viability test. The results demonstrated that the poly(L-lactic acid)/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole fibrous scaffold was a dual multi-porous micro/nano fibrous scaffold. An electrical stimulation with a current intensity 5.0–10.0 μA for about 2 days enhanced neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth, while a high current intensity (over 15.0 μA) suppressed them. These results indicate that electrical stimulation with a moderate current intensity for an optimum time frame can promote neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth in an intensity- and time-dependent manner.