Influence of TiO₂ Nanoparticles Incorporated into Elastomeric Polyesters on their Biocompatibility In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract Fibroblasts proliferation and apoptosis as well as tissue response after implantation of elastomers containing nanocrystalline TiO₂ were investigated in the present in vitro and in vivo study. Materials investigated were soft poly(aliphatic/aromatic‐ester) multiblock thermoplastic elastomers with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hard segments and dimerized linoleic acid (DLA) soft segments, respectively, containing 0.2 wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles. An investigation of the influence of TiO₂ nanoparticles incorporated into polymeric material on in vitro biocompatibility revealed enhanced cell proliferation and diminished number of necrotic and apoptotic cells as compared to nanoparticles‐free polymer. Implantation tests indicated that the observed tissue changes were similar to those observed with medical‐grade silicone elastomer, no evidence of contact necrosis being observed. The unchanged morphology of rat liver hepatocytes and the lack of parenchymal necrosis also indicated that exposure to the material containing TiO₂ nanoparticles, did not cause any cytotoxic reactions. The present study, thus, showed that elastomeric polyester containing TiO₂ nanoparticles are interesting biomimetic constructs for improved tissue regeneration.