Use of biodegradable polycaprolactone matrix for filling bone defects (experimental study)

Abstract

Background. There are unresolved issues in bone defect management associated with complications, invasiveness and long duration of treatment. The use of elastic implants made of bioactive biodegradable materials that take any form of defect could close many of them.The aim. To investigate features of reparative regeneration in filling bone defects with an elastic degradable implant made of polycaprolactone (PCL) with and without hydroxyapatite (HA).Materials and methods. The study was carried out on 10 adult mongrel dogs. A non-through cylindrical hole, 4 mm in diameter and 10 mm deep, was modeled in the upper third of the diaphysis of the tibia. The defects thus formed were filled with an elastic degradable implant made of polycaprolactone. In Group 1, HA was not added to polycaprolactone, while HA was added in dogs of Group 2. Radiographic and histological methods were used to study the results.Results. It was found that the tested materials did not cause toxic and allergic reactions, both local and general, during intravital observations and in post-mortem anatomical preparations. After 28 days in both series, the implant biodegraded and was replaced by bone tissue. The proportion of the bone component and the numerical density of microvessels in the defect zone in Group 2 were significantly higher than in Group 1.Conclusion. Elastic implants produced of polycaprolactone by electrospinning are biologically compatible, biodegradable and can be used to heal bone defects. Hydroxyapatite that was added stimulates the activity of osteogenesis.

Keywords

• bone defect
• polycaprolactone
• hydroxyapatite
• regenerative medicine
• osteoinduction
• osteoconduction
• biodegradation
• reparative osteogenesis