Electrospun poly(butylene carbonate) membranes for guided bone regeneration: In vitro and in vivo studies

A nonwoven membrane for guided bone regeneration, constituting of poly(butylene carbonate), with a backbone that is similar to poly(epsilon-caprolactone), was prepared by electrospinning. The as-fabricated poly(butylene carbonate) membranes were to be used as guided bone regeneration membranes with efficacies equal to or better than poly(epsilon-caprolactone) membranes. The contact angles of electrospun poly(butylene carbonate) membranes (fPBC) (101.90 +/- 4.19 degrees) were lower than those for electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) membranes (fPCL) (117.79 +/- 3.38 degrees) (p < 0.01). To examine the biocompatibility, we investigated cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. The bone regenerative efficacy was evaluated in rat calvarial defect. The cell numbers were increased in accordance with culture period. Cells had a stellate shape and broad cytoplasmic extensions on the membrane. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher on fPBC than on fPCL (p < 0.05). Defects covered by fPBC and fPCL achieved a similar degree of regeneration at 4 weeks in vivo and were significantly better than uncovered samples (p < 0.01). Based on the results of this study, the potential for using electrospun poly(butylene carbonate) membranes in guided bone regeneration is highly significant. In addition, poly(butylene carbonate) could be a promising alternative to poly(epsilon-caprolactone) for biomedical applications.