Poly-L-lactic acid/hydroxyapatite hybrid membrane for bone tissue regeneration

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) hybrid membranes were fabricated via electrospinning of the PLLA/HA dispersion for use in bone tissue regeneration. The structural properties and morphologies of PLLA and PLLA/HA hybrid membrane were investigated by measuring the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area, observations of SEM, and TEM. The dispersion and integrating of HA nanoparticles in the hybrid membrane were studied by energy dispersion X-ray analysis and FTIR. The mechanical properties of PLLA/HA membrane were also measured by tensile tests. For exploring biological behaviors of the hybrid membrane, in vitro degradation tests were carried out. The osteoblast cell (MG-63) was cultured in PLLA/HA hybrid membrane extract containing medium; the cell adhesion and growth capability were investigated by SEM observation and MTT assay. HA nanoparticles were not only dispersed in the PLLA but also reacted with the functional group of PLLA, resulting in strong surface bonding and high tensile strength of hybrid membrane. The cell adhesion and growth on the PLLA/HA hybrid membrane were far better than those on the pure PLLA membrane, which proves that the PLLA/ HA hybrid membrane can be one of the promising biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.