In vitro/in vivo biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bioactive glass nanofiber and poly(ε-caprolactone) composite materials

Ji Hoon Jo, Eun Jung Lee, Du Sik Shin, Hyoun Ee Kim, Hae Won Kim, Young Hag Koh, Jun Hyeog Jang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

150 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/bioactive glass (BG) nanocomposite was fabricated using BG nanofibers (BGNFs) and compared with an established composite fabricated using microscale BG particles. The BGNFs were generated using sol-gel precursors via the electrospinning process, chopped into short fibers and then incorporated into the PCL organic matrix by dissolving them in a tetrahydrofuran solvent. The biological and mechanical properties of the PCL/BGNF composites were evaluated and compared with those of PCL/BG powder (BGP). Because the PCL/BG composite containing 20 wt % BG showed the highest level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, all evaluations were performed at this concentration except for that of the ALP activity itself. In vitro cell tests using the MC3T3 cell line demonstrated the enhanced biocompatibility of the PCL/BGNF composite compared with the PCL/BGP composite. Furthermore, the PCL/BGNF composite showed a significantly higher level of bioactivity compared with the PCL/BGP composite. In addition, the results of the in vivo animal experiments using Sprague-Dawley albino rats revealed the good bone regeneration capability of the PCL/BGNF composite when implanted in a calvarial bone defect. In the result of the tensile test, the stiffness of the PCL/BG composite was further increased when the BGNFs were incorporated. These results indicate that the PCL/BGNF composite has greater bioactivity and mechanical stability when compared with the PCL/BG composite and great potential as a bone regenerative material.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)213-220
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part B Applied Biomaterials
Volume91
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Oct

Keywords

  • Bioactive glass
  • Bone regeneration
  • Composite
  • Nanofiber
  • Polycaprolactone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomaterials
  • Biomedical Engineering

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