Biological properties of an anti-bacterial membrane for guided bone regeneration: an experimental study in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The biosafety and efficacy of silver-hydroxyapatite-titania/polyamide nanocomposite (nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA) membrane as a guided bone regeneration (GBR) barrier were investigated based on a rat subcutaneous and critical-size calvarial defect model.


METHODS
Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA membrane test, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane control and blank control. Inflammatory response and bone regeneration in each group were evaluated using morphological, serological, radiographic and histological techniques at 1, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, after implantation.


RESULTS
For subcutaneous implantation, slight degradation of nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA membranes was observed by scanning electron microscope at 4 and 8 weeks. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a thinner layer of granulation tissue in the vicinity of nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA membranes than that of e-PTFE membranes. For cranial defect implantation, the serum alkaline phosphatase level was remarkably higher in nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA group than that in e-PTFE group. Radiographic and histomorphometric analysis showed a fully closed cranial defect for both nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA and e-PTFE groups at 8 weeks. No remarkable difference was found between the two groups regarding the integral optical density of neo-bone at each time interval.


CONCLUSIONS
nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA membranes demonstrated better biocompatibility and similar osteoinductive activity compared with e-PTFE membranes. nAg-HA-TiO(2)/PA composite membranes provided a good prospect for further research and development in anti-bacterial GBR membrane.
Zhang
Jingchao
J
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Xu
Qian
Q
Huang
Cui
C
Mo
Anchun
A
Li
Jidong
J
Zuo
Yi
Y
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D017886:Durapatite; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012834:Silver; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009757:Nylons; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012834:Silver; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D017886:Durapatite; D014025:Titanium