Native collagen-based membranes are used to guide bone regeneration; but due to their rapid biodegradation, this treatment is often unpredictable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biodegradability of natural collagen membranes. Three non-cross-linked resorbable collagen barrier membranes were tested: Derma Fina (porcine dermis), Evolution Standard (equine pericardium) and Duo-Teck (equine lyophilized collagen felt). 10 × 10 mm2 pieces of membranes were submitted to three different degradation procedures: (1) hydrolytic degradation in phosphate buffer solution, (2) enzyme resistance, using a 0.25% porcine trypsin solution, and (3) bacterial (Clostridium histolyticum) collagenase resistance test. Weight measurements were performed with an analytic microbalance. Thickness was measured with a digital caliper. Membranes were analyzed at different time-points, up to 21 d of immersion. A stereomicroscope was used to obtain membranes’ images. ANOVA and Student Newman Keuls were used for mean comparisons (p < 0.05), except when analyzing differences between time-points within the same membrane and solution where pair-wise comparisons were applied (p < 0.001). Derma Fina attained the highest resistance to all degradation challenges. Duo-Teck was the most susceptible membrane to degradation, complete degradation occurred as soon as 8 h. The bacterial collagenase solution performed as the most aggressive test as all membranes presented 100% degradation before 21 d.

Natural extracellular matrix (ECM) collagen membranes are frequently used for bone regeneration procedures. Some disadvantages, such as rapid degradation and questionable mechanical properties, limit their clinical use. These membranes have a heterologous origin and may proceed from different tissues. Biomineralization is a process in which hydroxyapatite deposits mainly in collagen fibrils of the matrices. However, when this deposition occurs on the ECM, its mechanical properties are increased, facilitating bone regeneration. The objective of the present research is to ascertain if different membranes from distinct origins may undergo biomineralization. Nanomechanical properties, scanning electron (SEM) and multiphoton (MP) microscopy imaging were performed in three commercially available ECMs before and after immersion in simulated body fluid solution for 7 and 21 d. The matrices coming from porcine dermis increased their nanomechanical properties and they showed considerable mineralization after 21 d, as observed in structural changes detected through SEM and MP microscopy. It is hypothesized that the more abundant crosslinking and the presence of elastin fibers within this membrane explains the encountered favorable behavior.