Generation and histomorphometric evaluation of a novel fluvastatin-containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) membrane for guided bone regeneration.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) membrane containing fluvastatin on bone regeneration at bone defects in rat calvaria and tibia for possible use as a guided bone regeneration (GBR) membrane. PLGA and fluvastatin-containing PLGA (PLGA-fluvastatin) membranes were prepared and mechanical properties were evaluated. Standardized bony defects were created in rat calvaria and the right tibia, and covered with a PLGA or PLGA-fluvastatin membrane. Bone regeneration was evaluated using image analysis based on histologic examination. At 4 and 8 weeks after membrane implantation, the PLGA-fluvastatin group displayed enhanced new bone formation around the edge of the defect compared with the PLGA membrane group in the calvarial model. Thick bone regeneration was observed in tibia-defect sites in the PLGA-fluvastatin membrane group. These results suggest that the PLGA-containing fluvastatin membrane prepared in this study may potentially be used as a GBR membrane.