A study on the biodegradable novel chitosan nanofiber membrane as a possible tool for guided bone regeneration / 대한치주과학회지

ABSTRACT

Chitosan has been widely researched as bone substitution materials and membranes in orthopedic/periodontal applications. Chitosan nanofiber membrane was fabricated by chitosan nanofiber using electrospinning technique. The structure of the membrane is nonwoven, three-dimensional, porous, and nanoscale fiber-based matrix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of chitosan nanofiber membrane and to evaluate its capacity of bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defect. Ten mm diameter round cranial defects were made and covered by 2 kinds of membranes (Gore-Tex membrane, chitosan nanofiber membrane) in rabbits. Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks after surgery. Decalcified specimens were prepared and observed by microscope. Chitosan nanofiber membrane maintained its shape and space at 4 weeks. No inflammatory cells were seen on the surface of the membrane. In calvarial defects, new bone bridges were formed at all defect areas and fused to original old bone. No distortion and resorption was observed in the grafted chitosan nanofiber membrane. However bone bridge formation and new bone formation at the center of the defect could not be seen in Gore-Tex membranes. It is concluded that the novel membrane made of chitosan nanofiber by electrospinning technique may be used as a possible tool for guided bone regeneration.