Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol /Hydroxyapatite/ZnO Nanofibers as Potential Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Globally, millions of people are effected from various bone disorders and diseases. These defects (e.g. fractures) can be an outcome of osteoporosis directly or osteopenia (which ultimately cause osteoporosis). According to a research about 19% of the Pakistani population has osteoporosis and 64% are osteopenic. Bone defects may arise also due to accidents, trauma, sports injuries, ageing or pathogenic infections like osteomyelitis. These bone disorders need to be treated and this requires bone repair and regeneration. Bone regeneration process can be accelerated by various treatments and methods. Treatment is required for complex defects and Tissue engineered solutions (e.g. advanced biomaterials) are of special interest especially if they are done through minimally invasive procedures. They can often be applied to the site of defect with minimum trouble (as compared to autografts) and mostly do not require a follow up surgery. During the surgery of complex fractures/disorders, the risk of infection is higher. Therefore it is desirable to have materials with additional functionalities i.e. they possess functions other than bone regeneration as well. This can include antimicrobial and/or angiogenic properties. Calcium phosphates are known to regenerate bone – due to the presence of calcium and phosphare ions. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a suitable member of the calcium phosphates family, that is similar to biological apatite the mineral component of bone. Synthetic HA helps regenerate bone. Recently oxides have been shown to have antibacterial, anticancer and angiogenic properties. Moreover, polymers have been used to develop synthetic bone grafts, as they allow the ability to develop composites in forms that can be used by the surgeons. Membranes/films are an ideal form for bone regenerative solutions as they can be sutured into places where they are to be used. Therefore, there is interest in developing membranes which contain bone regenerative and antibacterial additives.