Composite nanofiber of bioactive glass nanofiller incorporated poly(lactic acid) for bone regeneration

A novel composite nanofiber of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) incorporated with the nanocomponent of bioactive glass was exploited using an electrospinning method. Small concentrations of the bioactive glass phase added up to 10% facilitated the generation of a nanofibrous matrix with hundreds of nanometers in diameter without a formation of beads. The addition of the bioactive glass phase greatly enhanced the in vitro apatite formation on the nanofiber surface under a body simulating medium. Osteoblastic cells were demonstrated to adhere well on the composite nanofiber and grow actively with culturing time, suggesting its usefulness as a supporting matrix for the hard tissue regeneration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.