In Vitro and In Vivo Behaviors of the Three-layered Nano-carbonated Hydroxyapatite/Collagen/PLGA Composite

A three-layered nano-carbonated hydroxyapatite/collagen/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (nCHAC/PLGA) composite membrane that consisted of 8 wt% nCHAC + PLGA/4 wt% nCHAC + PLGA/PLGA was developed using a layer-by-layer casting. The human periodontal ligament and osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the three-layered composite membrane; the co-culture gave a more positive response than the pure PLGA membrane. Subsequently, the composite and pure PLGA membranes were implanted into critical 6.2 mm defects in rat crania. After 4 weeks, significant healing was observed in the defects implanted with the nCHAC/PLGA composite membrane, while similar healing was only observed with pure PLGA implants after 8 weeks. This novel composite appears to be a very promising candidate for periodontal and bone defects therapy.