Abstract
The potential of piezoelectric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering is demonstrated. This work proves that the use of piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), able to provide electrical stimuli upon mechanical solicitation to the growing bone cells, enhances the bone regeneration in vivo. Poled and non-poled PVDF films, with and without macroscopic piezoelectric response, respectively and randomly oriented piezoelectric electrospun fiber mats have been used as substitutes for bone to test their osteogenic properties in Wistar rats by analyzing new bone formation in 3 mm bilateral femur defects in vivo. After 4 weeks, the qualification of the regenerated bone was performed according the H&E staining. Defect implanted with poled PVDF films demonstrated significantly more defect closure and bone remodeling, showing the large potential of piezoelectric biomaterials for bone repair, as well as for other electromechanical responsive tissues such as muscle and tendon.
