Biological properties of a biomimetic membrane for guided tissue regeneration: a study in rat calvarial defects.
OBJECTIVE
The biological properties of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide (nHA/PA66) membrane as a guided tissue regeneration barrier were investigated based on a critical-size calvarial defect model.


METHODS
Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: nHA/PA66 membranes, control treated with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membranes, control treated with PA membranes and blank. Bone regeneration in each group was evaluated using morphological, serological, radiographic and histological techniques at 1, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, post-operation.


RESULTS
Slight degradation of nHA/PA66 membranes was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 4 and 8 weeks. The serum alkaline phosphatase level and the integral optical density of neo-bone were significantly higher in the nHA/PA66 group than those in the PA group and blank (P<0.05). Radiographic and histological analysis showed a fully closed cranial defect for both the nHA/PA66 group and the e-PTFE group at 8 weeks. No remarkable difference was found between the nHA/PA66 group and the e-PTFE group at each time interval.


CONCLUSIONS
nHA/PA66 membrane promoted bone regeneration as effectively as conventional e-PTFE membrane. Based on a rat study, nHA/PA66 membrane provides a promising alternative to e-PTFE membrane due to the absence of requirement for a second surgery.
Zhang
Jingchao
J
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Huang
Cui
C
Xu
Qian
Q
Mo
Anchun
A
Li
Jidong
J
Zuo
Yi
Y
D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D017886:Durapatite; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053761:Nanocomposites; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009757:Nylons; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D017886:Durapatite