Development and Characterization of a Dual Nanofibrillar Membrane of Polylactic Acid Loaded with Hydroxyapatite and Chlorhexidine for Guided Bone Regeneration
TL;DR
The findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing bilayer PLA membranes incorporating nano-HA and CHX while maintaining suitable physicochemical characteristics and cellular compatibility.
Abstract
Guided bone regeneration requires membranes that combine structural stability, biocompatibility, and bioactive properties. This study aimed to develop a bilayer electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) membrane incorporating nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HA) and chlorhexidine (CHX). Membranes were fabricated by electrospinning at 15 kV and divided into four groups: PLA 10% (control), PLA 10%/CHX 0.2%, PLA 10%/nano-HA 10%, and a bilayer combining the CHX- and nano-HA-loaded formulations in separate monolayers, creating a bilayer nanofibrillar scaffold. We characterized microscopic structure, thermal behavior, and chemical composition using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We evaluated cellular compatibility through cell adhesion and WST-1 metabolic activity assays. All groups exhibited randomly arranged nanofibrillar networks with comparable fiber morphology, while nano-HA-containing membranes showed particulate agglomerates. Thermal analyses indicated changes associated with material incorporation without evidence of major disruption of the PLA matrix, while chemical analyses confirmed incorporation of nano-HA and CHX. CHX-containing membranes did not compromise cell viability, whereas HA-containing membranes promoted favorable cell distribution and morphology. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing bilayer PLA membranes incorporating HA and CHX while maintaining suitable physicochemical characteristics and cellular compatibility.