3D Printing of Mechanically Resistant Poly (Glycerol Sebacate) (PGS)?Zein Scaffolds for Potential Cardiac Tissue Engineering Applications

Due to the limited regenerative capacity of natural human myocardium, 3D printing cyclic polyester poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) offers a promising alternative produce scaffolds (cardiac patches) for cardiac tissue engineering. Since printability and subsequent thermal crosslinking pure PGS without any modification or additives are challenging, PGS-zein-salt-based process is developed in this work by mixing pre-polymer with ground sieved sodium chloride particles additionally different amounts corn protein zein. The resulting inks show excellent high shape fidelity both during after crosslinking. Chemical analysis indicates successful integration zein into backbone. Mechanical characterization shows anisotropic behavior structure alternating direction. Subsequent biological assessments reveal no cytotoxic effects on C2C12 cells, rendering PGS-zein combination suitable material patches.