Scaffolds based on agarose and hydroxyapatite were prepared using the GELPOR3D method. This technique is based on the gelation capacity of the agarose hydrogel that allows to shape different type of ceramics. Moreover, since this process takes place under physiological temperature, it allows to include thermally labile biomolecules such antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs or any other type of substance that may potentially contribute to improve the scaffolds performance. This work focus on the introduction of gelatin within these scaffolds aiming to improve their interaction with cells. The amounts of gelatin included (10/15/20 %) do not affect the fabrication process which is carried out in a phosphate buffered saline solution. The obtained materials were characterized from the microstructural and textural point of view (FTIR, TG/DTA, XRD, SEM, MIP) as well as by studying pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion and proliferation.

The presence of gelatine significantly improved MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion and proliferation. It must be remarked that this better interaction with cells extends in time beyond the dissolution of gelatin. It has been determined that this substance starts to disappear from the scaffolds after 48 hours generating a new porosity that should contribute to a deeper and more complete colonization of the new tissue formed. Despite this disappearance, the scaffolds preserve their integrity and enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation when compared with scaffold prepared in the absence of gelatin.

It can be concluded that the mere presence of gelatin, almost independently on the amount included, not only improves the scaffold interaction with the surrounding cells but can be also used to tailor its progressive degradation and collonization by new tissue.