title: Spectroscopic study on the enzymatic degradation of a biodegradable composite periodontal membrane.
abstract: The enzymatic in vitro degradation of a commercial biodegradable hydroxyapatite (HA)-polymer (poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(oxyethylene)(POE)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) block copolymer) composite membrane was investigated by Raman and IR spectroscopies in two enzymatic solutions at 37 degrees C: esterase and alpha-chymotrypsin in saline phosphate buffer (SPB, pH 7.4). The degradation was found to be faster in the enzymatic medium than in SPB and alkaline solutions. The fastest degradation rate was observed in esterase solution. The trend of properly chosen Raman and IR intensity ratios was evaluated to go deeper inside the degradation mechanism: both polymeric and apatitic components were found to be involved in degradation. The former underwent preferential degradation of POE blocks, while HA is removed by the degradation medium faster than the polymer. Vibrational spectroscopy proved a valid tool for investigating the degradation of the membrane.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biochimica G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8/2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reggiani
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tinti
authors.forename: Concezio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fagnano
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000737:chemistry; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry; D004950:Esterases / Q000737:chemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D007700:Kinetics; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D017886:Durapatite; D004950:Esterases; D002918:Chymotrypsin; C117608:alpha-chymotrypsin