The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration efficacy of an 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-cross-linked collagen membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). A non-cross-linked collagen membrane (Control group), and an EDC-cross-linked collagen membrane (Test group) were used in this study. In vitro, mechanical, and degradation testing and cell studies were performed. In the animal study, 36 artificial bone defects were formed in the mandibles of six beagles. Implants were inserted at the time of bone grafting, and membranes were assigned randomly. Eight weeks later, animals were sacrificed, micro-computed tomography was performed, and hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens were prepared. Physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation rate) were better in the Test group than in the Control group. No inflammation or membrane collapse was observed in either group, and bone volumes (%) in defects around implants were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The results of new bone areas (%) analysis also showed similar values in the two groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that cross-linking the collagen membranes with EDC is the method of enhancing the physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation) of the collagen membranes without risk of toxicity.
Keywords: 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide; collagen membrane; cross-linking; cytotoxicity; guided bone regeneration.