Embedding magnesium metallic particles in polycaprolactone nanofiber mesh improves applicability for biomedical...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Magnesium (Mg) metal is a biocompatible and biodegradable material with potential for tissue repair.
• Incorporating Mg into polymer scaffolds can improve their biological performance.
• Electrospinning is a technique used to create nanofiber meshes for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber meshes incorporating magnesium (Mg) metal particles for tissue engineering.
• To assess the physicochemical and biological properties of these composite meshes in vitro and in vivo.
• To determine if Mg incorporation enhances tissue healing and reduces inflammation compared to PCL meshes alone.

Main Methods:

• Magnesium microparticles were incorporated into polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers using electrospinning.
• Physicochemical properties were analyzed using SEM, FTIR, mechanical testing, XRD, and UV-VIS spectrophotometry.
• In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using 3T3 fibroblasts and PC-12 cells. In vivo studies involved subcutaneous implantation in mice for 3, 8, and 28 days.

Main Results:

• Mg-containing meshes released hydrogen gas and Mg ions (Mg2+) in vitro, with release proportional to Mg/PCL ratio.
• All meshes were non-cytotoxic to fibroblasts and pheochromocytoma cells.
• In vivo, Mg-containing meshes showed enhanced vascularization, earlier macrophage infiltration, and more mature tissue remodeling compared to control meshes, with reduced inflammation.

Conclusions:

• Composite Mg/PCL nanofiber meshes possess favorable material properties for tissue engineering.
• Mg incorporation mitigates inflammatory responses to PCL and promotes improved tissue healing.
• These novel scaffolds offer a promising matrix for clinically relevant tissue engineering applications.