Ordered Collagen Membranes: Production and Characterization

Abstract

A collagen membrane with microscopic order is presented. The membranes were produced with acid-soluble collagen, using two different methods to obtain orientation. The product was characterized by mean of UV and IR spectra, scanning electronic microscopy, optical microscopy and laser diffractometry. The results clearly show a high level of order in the membranes obtained by both techniques. Permeability for rifamycin, ascorbic acid and NaCl was also measured. Due to the characteristics of the membranes, they have a potential application for treatment of surface injuries.

Novel Vanadium-Loaded Ordered Collagen Scaffold Promotes Osteochondral Differentiation of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells

“…We measured the flux of NaCl across the membrane as a measure of its permeability at 37°C. We found that the permeability value of Col-V membrane was 2.16 × 10 −4 cm/sec, which represents an increase of about 40% compared to our previously described values for Col scaffold (1.47 × 10 −4 cm/sec [ 15 ]) ( Figure 2 ). We also evaluated the possible effect of VOAsc delivery on scaffold permeability.…”

“…Membranes were prepared using acid-soluble collagen extracted from bovine Achilles tendon. Ordered films were obtained according to standardized procedures of our laboratory [ 15 ]. Vanadyl(IV) ascorbate (VOAsc) was synthesized as we have previously described and characterized by UV-vis and infrared spectroscopy [ 17 , 19 ].…”

“…Stock solutions were prepared in distilled water at room temperature and used immediately for the different assays. Membranes of pure collagen were loaded with the VOAsc complex and given an ordered pattern by layering the collagen and vanadium solutions (50, 100, or 200 μ g/mL) alternatively on a mold, according to our previously described method [ 15 ]. This formulation was selected in order to obtain 10, 20, or 40 μ g/mL VOAsc per cm 2 of membrane surface ( C 1, C 2, and C 3).…”

“…Permeability was evaluated by measuring the flux of NaCl across the membranes, with a custom-made glass cell as previously described [ 15 ]. In this device the membrane divides the cell in two compartments: one of them ( L ) was filled with the solution under study and the other ( R ) with distilled water.…”

“…This natural polymer has been used extensively because of its inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, osteoconductivity, and cost-effective availability [ 14 ]. Recently, we have prepared and characterized a microscale ordered collagen scaffold and shown its efficacy for bone tissue engineering [ 15 ]. Our results suggest that the orientation of collagen fibers positively regulates osteoblastic growth and development.…”