Cholecalciferol-loaded electrospun coating on titanium-based implant for improved osseointegration

As the global population ages, the need for biomaterials capable of supporting bone repair and regeneration is steadily increasing. Particularly, enhancing early peri-implant bone regeneration remains a key challenge in implant therapy, particularly in situations requiring improved biological responsiveness at the implant surface. In this study, cholecalciferol-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber meshes were fabricated by electrospinning to create conformal, homogeneous drug delivery coatings on titanium mini-implants. The electrospun meshes exhibited uniform fiber morphology, consistent thickness control, and mechanical properties required for handling and implantation. Cholecalciferol was successfully incorporated into the PCL matrix and released in a sustained manner. In vitro studies using MSCs and MG-63 cells showed that the coatings were cytocompatible and supported osteogenic activity, including increased ALP activity, collagen, and mineralized extracellular matrix deposition. In a rat tibia model, Ti mini-implants coated with the cholecalciferol-loaded PCL meshes exhibited improved early peri-implant bone formation, exhibiting higher bone volume and a denser trabecular microarchitecture compared with uncoated implants, without eliciting systemic or local toxicity. In conclusion, localized cholecalciferol release from nanofibrous PCL coatings can be used as an effective strategy to modulate early peri-implant biology and accelerate implant osseointegration.