Synthesis and evaluation of tetracycline encapsulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) on porous titania formed by using plasma electrolytic oxidation

Despite a relatively high success rate in treating bacterial infection, it is still the major complication following dental implant surgery. Many attempts have been carried out to produce antibacterial effects on implant metals, and there have included coating of antibiotics encapsulated in polymers by using the electro-spray deposition (ESD) method. However, remnant polymer following full release of the medication, resulting in delamination between the surface layers of the implant and newly formed bone, has been a major problem. Hence, different organic polymer of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were used in this study. Commercially pure titanium was used in this experiment and was anodized to improve biocompatibility. The PLGA was dissolved in dichloromethane along with tetracycline, and the fabricated tetracycline encapsulated in PLGA was then coated on a porous oxide layer of titanium by using the ESD method. The surface characteristics were analyzed, and the antibacterial effects of the specimen were assessed using bacteria of Staphylococcus aereus . Finally, the cytotoxicity and cell proliferation on the surface was evaluated. The results indicated that such titanium formed by a coating of tetracycline encapsulated in PLGA on a porous titania structure exhibited antibacterial effects and was both non-cytotoxic and biocompatible. Also, PLGA seemed to be an ideal candidate as the medium to encapsulate antibiotics or other medications such as growth factors due to its rapid degradation compared to other organic polymer. From this experiment, we conclude that porous titania coated by tetracycline encapsulated in PLGA by using ESD method is appropriate for use in dental or medical implants to prevent the major complication of surgery, infection.