Structure and biological compatibility of polycaprolactone/zinc-hydroxyapatite electrospun nanofibers for tissue regeneration

Abstract

Although guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a useful tool for regenerating lost tissue as bone and periodontal tissue, a biocompatible membrane capable of regenerating large defects has yet to be discovered. This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties and biological compatibility of polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes associated with or without nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) (PCL/HA) and Zn-doped HA (PCL/ZnHA), produced by electrospinning. PCL, PCL/HA, and PCL/ZnHA were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Nanoparticles of HA or ZnHA were homogeneously distributed and dispersed inside the PCL fibers, which decreased the fiber thickness. At 1 wt% of HA or ZnHA, these nanoparticles acted as nucleating agents. Moreover, HA and ZnHA increased the onset of the degradation temperature and thermal stability of the electrospun membrane. All tested membranes showed no cytotoxicity and allowed murine pre-osteoblast adhesion and spreading; however, higher concentrations of PCL/ZnHA showed less cells and an irregular cell morphology compared to PCL and PCL/HA. This article presents a cytocompatible, electrospun, nanocomposite membrane with a novel morphology and physicochemical properties that make it eligible as a scaffold for GTR.

3D Printed Poly(𝜀-caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering: A Comparative Study on a Composite Preparation by Melt Blending or Solvent Casting Techniques and the Influence of Bioceramic Content on Scaffold Properties

“…The addition of HA promotes a decrease in the endothermic melting enthalpies. Koupaei and Karkhaneh [53] and Pedrosa et al [54] reported the same behaviour in PCL/HA scaffolds and in PCL/HA membranes, respectively. These results can be explained due to the high crystallinity of HA that may alter the crystalline properties of the polymer and accelerate the nucleation of the PCL chain segments.…”

Nanostructured Electrospun Polycaprolactone—Propolis Mats Composed of Different Morphologies for Potential Use in Wound Healing

“…On the other hand, the second peak close to 64 • C was attributed to another population of crystals not seen on the pure PCL fibre thermogram. Therefore, this peak could be assigned to PCL and propolis interactions, which favoured the formation of this more imperfect type of crystals [54].…”

Functional Electrospun Nanofibers Loaded with Plantago Major L. Extract for Potential Use in Cutaneous Wound Healing

“…However, three stages of mass loss at higher temperatures were seen in the PCL/P. major electrospun mats, two of them with maximum DTG mass loss rate (peak maximum) at 181 and 256 °C, attributed to components of extract, and one between 320-450 °C related to the stage of PCL chain degradation [54,68].…”