Compressible polyglycolic acid-based nanofibrous matrices as a bone filler: fabrication, physicochemical characterisations, and biocompatibility evaluation

In this study, amorphous hydroxyapatite (am-HAp) incorporated compressible and nanofibrous polyglycolic acid (PGA-HAp) matrices were fabricated by three-dimensional (3-D) electrospinning. The synthesised am-HAp particles were in the size of 260 +/- 45 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the chemical and phase structure of the am-HAp particles. Continuous PGA-HAp nanofibers with the mean diameter of 367 +/- 70 nm were successfully produced and am-HAp particles were well integrated into the nanofibers. Moreover, XRD and FTIR analyses verified the presence of am-HAp in the PGA nanofibers. The incorporation of the am-HAp to the nanofibers increased the maximum degradation temperature of PGA matrices from 340 degrees C to 362 degrees C. Mechanical analyses confirmed the elasticity of the 3-D PGA matrices. In vitro cell culture studies verified the biocompatibility of the nanofibrous matrices. Hence, 3-D nanofibrous PGA-HAp matrices may be a good alternative to ceramic bone substitutes due to their flexibility and physicochemical properties.