Tannic Acid-Induced Resolution Enhancement of 3D-Printed Hydrogel Constructs

Three-dimensional bioprinting has emerged as a promising technique for creating personalized scaffolds. However, traditional extrusion-based methods face challenges with resolution and structural fidelity. This study aims to introduce a hybrid bioink, combining N-acryloylglycinamide (NAGA) with a rheology modifier to enhance both the stability and precision of printed designs. Additionally, we implemented a controlled immersion shrinkage process to further enhance the resolution. Immersing the printed structures in a 55% w/v tannic acid (TA) solution, the average grid area was reduced to 35.21% of its original size, significantly improving resolution. This treatment also boosted the antioxidant properties of the hydrogel, achieving a 90.5% ABTS removal rate. The hydrogel demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, enhanced cell proliferation, and maintained high-resolution printability and antioxidant properties, making it a promising biomaterial for soft tissue regeneration.