Production and Characterization of Porous Polymeric Membranes of PLA/PCL Blends with the Addition of Hydroxyapatite

Nayara Koba De Moura,João Paulo De Barros Machado,Idália A W B Siqueira,Ingrid Regina Avanzi,Fabio Roberto Passador,Eliandra De Sousa Trichês,Ana Claudia Muniz Rennó,Hueliton Wilian Kido

doi:10.3390/jcs3020045

Abstract

Polymer membranes have been widely used in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and guided bone regeneration (GBR). The literature recognizes that poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) blends have better physicochemical properties and that a porous polymer surface facilitates cell adhesion and proliferation. In addition, hydroxyapatite (HAp) incorporated into the polymer matrix promotes osteoinduction properties and osteoconduction to the polymer-ceramic biocomposite. Therefore, polymer membranes of PLA/PCL blend with the addition of HAp could be an alternative to be used in GBR. HAp was obtained by precipitation using the mixture of solutions of tetrahydrate calcium nitrate and monobasic ammonium phosphate salts. The porous membranes of the PLA/PCL (80/20) blend with the addition of HAp were obtained by solvent casting with a controlled humidity method, with the dispersion of HAp in chloroform and subsequent solubilization with the components of the blend. The solution was poured into molds for solvent evaporation under a controlled humidity atmosphere. The membranes showed the formation of pores on their surface, together with dispersed HAp particles. The results showed an increase in the surface porosity and improved bioactivity properties with the addition of HAp. Moreover, in biological studies with cell culture, it was possible to observe that the membranes with HAp have no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3 cells. These results indicate a promising use of the new biomaterial for GBR.

Highlights

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a technique that seeks for the regeneration of bone defects using a physical barrier that prevents the approach of non-osteogenic cells into the bone wound [1]
Different techniques report the creation of hydroxyapatite in nanometric sizes, which contributes to its superficial reactivity, for example, Yubao et al [24] obtained a crystal size of nHAp of 23 nm by 91 nm in the form of needles using the aqueous precipitation method, but using the drip technique of calcium nitrate in dibasic ammonium phosphate
In cell culture studies, it was possible to observe that the membranes with HAp had no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3 cells

Summary

Introduction

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a technique that seeks for the regeneration of bone defects using a physical barrier that prevents the approach of non-osteogenic cells into the bone wound [1]. The bioabsorbable membranes can be sorted into natural polymers, synthetic polymer materials, and/or polymer composites that are a combination of two or more different materials used to obtain specific mechanical, chemical, and physical properties. Aliphatic polymers are excellent candidates for the production of membranes for this purpose. These polymers allow for the production of stable porous materials that do not dissolve or fuse in tissue culture in vitro and are suitable for fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds [3]. The membranes prepared with these individual polymers have excellent biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, low rigidity, easy processability, and drug-encapsulating ability [4,5]

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Conclusion