title: Development and characterization of novel ZnO-loaded electrospun membranes for periodontal regeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study reports on the synthesis, materials characterization, antimicrobial capacity, and cytocompatibility of novel ZnO-loaded membranes for guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and PCL/gelatin (PCL/GEL) were dissolved in hexafluoropropanol and loaded with ZnO at distinct concentrations: 0 (control), 5, 15, and 30wt.%. Electrospinning was performed using optimized parameters and the fibers were characterized via scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM/TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle (CA), mechanical testing, antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogens, and cytotoxicity test using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey (α=5%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ZnO nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the overall submicron fibers, which showed fairly good morphology and microstructure. Upon ZnO nanoparticles' incorporation, the PCL and PCL/GEL fibers became thicker and thinner, respectively. All GEL-containing membranes showed lower CA than the PCL-based membranes, which were highly hydrophobic. Overall, the mechanical properties of the membranes were reduced upon ZnO incorporation, except for PCL-based membranes containing ZnO at the 30wt.% concentration. The presence of GEL enhanced the stretching ability of membranes under wet conditions. All ZnO-containing membranes displayed antibacterial activity against the bacteria tested, which was generally more pronounced with increased ZnO content. All membranes synthesized in this study demonstrated satisfactory cytocompatibility, although the presence of 30wt.% ZnO led to decreased viability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, this study suggests that PCL- and PCL/GEL-based membranes containing a low content of ZnO nanoparticles can potentially function as a biologically safe antimicrobial GTR/GBR membrane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Operative Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL), School of Dentistry, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliseu A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Münchow
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Graduate Program in Restorative Dentistry, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos Dental School, São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Tereza P
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zero
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamocki
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL), School of Dentistry, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil.
authors.forename: Evandro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, IUSD, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address: mbottino@iu.edu.
authors.forename: Marco C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bottino
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000628:therapy*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D005780:Gelatin; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Electrospinning; Membranes; Oral bacteria; Periodontal regeneration; Periodontitis; Zinc oxide