Construction and evaluation of a triple-layered composite PCL/HA membrane containing Dexamethasone loaded PLGA Microspheres for the regeneration of jaw bone in periodontal disease

The use of an occlusive membrane interfacing with gingival connective tissue/epithelium and bone tissue to promote periodontal tissue regeneration has considerably been successful. The biological basis of tissue-guided membrane regeneration is that the addition of a physical barrier prevents the migration of epithelial cells and connective tissue into the lesion to allow periodontal and mesenchymal ligament cells to migrate to the root surface. The presently existing structures act only as a physical barrier and have no other function. The purpose of the present study was construction and evaluation of a triple-layered composite PCL/ HA membrane containing Dexamethasone loaded PLGA Microspheres for the regeneration of jaw bone in periodontal disease.

In the current experimental study, the composite polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite membrane was prepared along with microspheres containing dexamethasone using solvent casting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate morphology, Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was implemented to study the chemical structure, and spectrophotometry was used to evaluate the release rate of dexamethasone. Except for morphology, 5 samples were prepared and analyzed for each test. The normality of data distribution was evaluated running the Shapiro-Wilk test and the results were compared using t-test.

SEM images show that the membranes prepared via this method have high porosity, large, and interconnection. Microspheres have an almost uniform surface topography and a completely homogeneous spherical state with an average size of 6 nm to 10 μm. FTIR results confirmed the presence of hydroxyapatite in the structure. Spectrophotometric results showed that the release rate of dexamethasone was higher when the microspheres containing it were in the second layer on the first day (P=0.02), but this amount was not significantly different in the third layer on different days (P=0.12). 

It seems that PCL/HA composite membranes were prepared via solvent casting can be used in soft and hard tissue regeneration due to their similarity with bone tissue and creating suitable conditions for soft tissue repair.