Barrier membranes that are used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy usually lack bioactivity and the capability to promote new bone tissue formation. However, the incorporation of an osteogenic agent into polymeric membranes seems to be the most assertive strategy to enhance their regenerative potential. Here, the manufacturing of composite electrospun membranes made of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and particles of a novel bioactive glass composition (F18) is described. The membranes were mechanically and biologically tested with tensile strength tests and tissue culture with MG-63 osteoblast-like cell line, respectively. The PCL-F18 composite membranes demonstrated no increased cytotoxicity and an enhanced osteogenic potential when compared to pure PCL membranes. Moreover, the addition of the bioactive phase increased the membrane tensile strength. These preliminary results suggested that these new membranes can be a strong candidate for small bone injuries treatment by GTR technique.

This study evaluated adhesion and biofilm formation by Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis on surfaces of titanium (Ti) and titanium coated with F18 Bioactive Glass (BGF18). Biofilms were grown and the areas coated with biofilm were determined after 2, 4 and 8 h. Microscopy techniques were applied in order to visualize the structure of the mature biofilm and the extracellular matrix. On the BGF18 specimens, there was less biofilm formation by C. albicans and S. epidermidis after incubation for 8 h. For P. aeruginosa biofilm, a reduction was observed after incubation for 4 h, and it remained reduced after 8 h on BGF18 specimens. All biofilm matrices seemed to be thicker on BGF18 surface than on titanium surfaces. BGF18 showed significant anti-biofilm activity in comparison with Ti in the initial periods of biofilm formation; however, there was extensive biofilm after incubation for 48 h.