In vitro evaluation of bilayer membranes of PLGA/hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate for guided bone regeneration

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2020-07, Vol.112, p.110849-110849, Article 110849
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Vivian Inês, Merlini, Claudia, Aragones, Águedo, Cesca, Karina, Fredel, Márcio Celso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bilayer membrane; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biomedical materials; Bone growth; Bone Regeneration - drug effects; Calcium; Calcium phosphate; Calcium phosphates; Calcium Phosphates - chemistry; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Degradation; Elastic Modulus; Electrospinning; Fibroblasts; Glycolic acid; Guided bone regeneration; Hydroxyapatite; Hydroxyapatites - chemistry; Implantation; Infiltration; Interlayers; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Mice; Morphology; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Phase inversion; PLGA; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer - chemistry; Polylactide-co-glycolide; Pore size; Porosity; Reconstruction; Regeneration; Regeneration (physiology); Storage modulus; Transition Temperature; Tricalcium phosphate
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110849

Membranes for guided bone regeneration represent valuable resources, preventing fibroblast infiltration and aiding anatomical bone reconstruction. Nonetheless, available membranes lack bone regenerative capacity, suitable mechanical behavior, or adequate degradation profile. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, this study developed bilayer membranes with a dense layer (dry phase inversion) of PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)):HAp (hydroxyapatite) – 95:05 (wt%) – and an electrospun layer of PLGA and HAp:β-TCP (β-tricalcium phosphate) with ratios of 60:40, 70:30 and 85:15 (wt%), evaluating its mechanical, morphological and in vitro properties. The bilayer membranes displayed adequate interlayer adhesion, dense layer pore size of 4.20 μm and electrospun layer with porosity degree of 38.2%, thus capable of preventing fibroblast infiltration while allowing osteoblast migration and nutrient permeation. They also showed Tg of 82 °C and higher storage modulus, which was constant up to 54.6 °C, characteristics important for membrane implantation and use with no mechanical compromise. In vitro degradation mass loss was only 10% after 60 days, a profile suitable for the application requirement. Membranes with calcium phosphates had better osteoblast attachment, proliferation and migration. Taken together, results indicate the great potential of PLGA/HAp/β-TCP bilayer membranes on bone reconstruction with proper degradation profile, morphology, mechanical behavior and bone regenerative capacity. [Display omitted] •Dense layer avoids fibroblast infiltration with adequate pore sizes.•Electrospun layer allows osteoblast migration and nutrient permeation.•Good interlayer adhesion provides proper mechanical behavior to not collapse in use.•Adequate degradation profile following bone regeneration period required•Great osteoblast attachment and proliferation, improving bone regenerative capacity