Enhanced effects of electrospun collagen-chitosan nanofiber membranes on guided bone regeneration

It was aim to study the physicochemical features and biocompatibility of electrospun collagen-chitosan membranes, and its potential in guided bone regeneration. Electrospinning technology was applied in the fabrication of electrospun collagen membranes and electrospun collagen-chitosan membranes following observation of scanning electron microscope. Physicochemical properties including tensile strength, elongation rate, porosity, degradation rate, and biocompatibility of membranes were measured then. In vivo, calvarial bone defects created on rats were covered with two kinds of membranes respectively. In the 4th and 8th week, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, Micro CT analyzing bone volume, bone volume/total volume, trabecular number and trabecular spacing values, and histological staining were carried out for evaluating the potentials of the membranes on bone regeneration. We found that regular and highly-porous structure favoring the adhesion and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells was observed in all electrospinning groups. Compared with electrospun collagen membranes, electrospun collagen-chitosan membranes performed better physiochemical features including higher tensile strength and more stable degradation rate. In the animal model, compared with the other groups, higher levels of bone alkaline phosphatase in the 4th week and osteocalcin in the 8th week were observed in the electrospun collagen-chitosan membrane. Meanwhile, both of the radiographical and histological results further confirmed that the new bone formation (with higher bone volume, bone volume/total volume, Trabecular number, and lower Trabecular spacing) were more active in the electrospun collagen-chitosan membrane. In conclusion, Electrospun collagen-chitosan membranes perform excellent physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and great effects on guided bone regeneration, which as the membrane has good application prospect in tissue regeneration.