Preparation of Silicon-Containing Poly(lactic acid)-Vaterite Hybrid Membranes

Microfiber meshes releasing a trace amount of silicon species were prepared by electrospinning silicon-doped vaterite (SiV) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) hybrids for application to membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR). A trace amount of silicon-species has been reported to enhance the mineralization and bone-forming abilities of osteogenic cells. The microfiber meshes prepared by electrospinning are regarded to be a useful candidate for the GBR membrane, because they have adequate flexibility and porosity for it. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA)-forming abilities in simulated body fluid, silicon-releasabilities, compatibility with osteoblast-like cells of the prepared microfiber meshes were examined. The meshes were completely coated with HA after soaking in simulated body fluid for 1 day. The meshes coated with HA released 0.2 -0.7 mg/L of silicon species in a cell culture medium for 7 days. The cells elongated on the microfibers of the meshes and some of them entered the mesh after 1 day-culturing. The meshes are expected to provide an excellent substrate for bone regeneration and enhance bone-forming ability of the cells.