Bioactive Glass Sol Research Articles

Enhancing the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite bioceramic via encapsulating with silica-based bioactive glass sol

Although hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramic has excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, its high chemical stability results in slow degradation which affects osteogenesis, angiogenesis and clinical applications. Silica-based bioglass (BG) with superior biological performance has been introduced into HA bioceramic to overcome this insufficiency; however, the composite bioceramics are usually prepared by traditional mechanical mixture of HA and BG powders, which tremendously weakens their mechanical performance. In this research, BG-modified HA bioceramics were prepared by the use of BG sol encapsulated HA powders. The results showed that introducing 1 and 3 wt% BG allowed the HA-based bioceramics to maintain the high compressive strength (>300 MPa), improved the apatite mineralization activity, and played an important role in cellular response. The bioceramic modified with 1 wt% BG (1BG/HA) remarkably enhanced in vitro cell proliferation, osteogenic and angiogenic activities. This present work provides a new strategy to improve the biological performance of bioceramics and the HA-based bioceramics with 1 wt% BG can be as a promising candidate material for bone repair.

A novel multi-structural reinforced treatment on Ti implant utilizing a combination of alkali solution and bioactive glass sol

ObjectiveAlkali treatment and bioactive glass (BG) sol dip-coating are well-known individual methods for titanium (Ti) surface modification. In this study, a unique combination of alkali treatment and bioactive glass sol dip coating was applied to the Ti substrate, then the mechanical properties and cell responses were investigated. MethodsBased on the methods introduced above, the Ti substrate was treated by 6 mL of an NaOH 5 M aqueous solution for 24 h at 60 ̊C; this was followed by adding 1.2 mL of a BG 58S sol to form a novel combined nanostructure network covered by a thin BG layer. For the assessment of the formed coating layer, the morphology, elemental analysis, phase structure, adhesion property and the cell response of the untreated and treated surfaces were investigated. ResultsThe BG coating layer was reinforced by the nanostructure, fabricated through the alkali treatment. The results obtained by applying the combined modification method confirmed that the mechanical and biological properties of the fabricated surface demonstrated the highest performance compared to that of the unmodified and individually modified surfaces. SignificanceThe achieved upgrades for this method could be gained from the demanded porous nanostructure and the apatite transformation ability of the alkali treatment. Therefore, the hybridized application of the alkali-BG treatment could be introduced as a promising surface modification strategy for hard-tissue replacement applications.

Enhancing the Bioactivity of Hydroxyapatite Bioceramic via Encapsulating with Silica-Based Bioactive Glass Sol

Enhancing the Bioactivity of Hydroxyapatite Bioceramic via Encapsulating with Silica-Based Bioactive Glass Sol

Bioactive glass coating on zirconia by vacuum sol-dipping method.

In order to the preparation of biodegradable, bioactive and strongly adhered coating layer to the bioinert zirconia substrate, a bioactive glass (BG) was successfully coated on the zirconia plates. To achieve this goal, the zirconia plates dipped into the 45S5 BG sol in the vacuum chamber (vacuum sol-dipping method) followed by sintering to fabricate a strongly adhered BG coating on the zirconia plates. The parameters such as surface morphology and BG coating coverage ability on the zirconia plates have been assessed before and after coating with 45S5 BG. Phase structure of the BG coating based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) result could be indexed as Na4Ca4(Si6O18). The interfacial adhesive strength between the zirconia substrate and BG coating layer was higher than the measured adhesive strength (55±7 MPa). The viability results approved the satisfying conclusion for the offered coating method on the zirconia substrates.

Bioactive glass sol as a dual function additive for chitosan-alginate hybrid scaffold

Bioactive glass-chitosan-alginate hybrid scaffolds (BG-C-A scaffolds) were fabricated using BG sol as a dual function additive, which behaves as both bioactive inorganic phase to confer the bioactivity and cross-linker to improve the structural stability and mechanical properties. The microstructure, physicochemical and mechanical properties, in vitro bioactivity and cellular biocompatibility of the scaffolds were investigated. The results indicated that BG component was successfully incorporated into the BG-C-A scaffolds through a facile BG sol-immersing method and the original interconnected microstructure could be well preserved. The obtained BG-C-A scaffolds showed improved mechanical properties and structural stability as compared to C-A scaffolds. At the same time, they presented excellent in vitro bioactivity and cellular compatibility. All these results demonstrated that these BG-C-A scaffolds have promising potential for tissue engineering.

Enhancing the Bioactivity of Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Ceramics via Grain-Boundary Activation.

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) has been proposed as a potential dental implant because of its good biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties, and distinctive aesthetic effect. However, Y-TZP cannot form chemical bonds with bone tissue because of its biological inertness, which affects the reliability and long-term efficacy of Y-TZP implants. In this study, to improve the bioactivity of Y-TZP ceramics while maintaining their good mechanical performance, Y-TZP was modified by grain-boundary activation via the infiltration of a bioactive glass (BG) sol into the surface layers of Y-TZP ceramics under different negative pressures (atmospheric pressure, -0.05 kPa, and -0.1 kPa), followed by gelling and sintering. The in vitro bioactivity, mechanical properties, and cell behavior of the Y-TZP with improved bioactivity were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and Raman spectroscopy. The results of the bioactivity test conducted by immersing Y-TZP in simulated body fluid (SBF) showed that a bonelike apatite layer was produced on the entire surface. The mechanical properties of the modified Y-TZP decreased as the negative pressure in the BG-infiltration process increased relative to those of the Y-TZP blank group. However, the samples infiltrated with the BG sol under -0.05 kPa and atmospheric pressure still retained good mechanical performance. The cell-culture results revealed that the bioactive surface modification of Y-TZP could promote cell adhesion and differentiation. The present work demonstrates that the bioactivity of Y-TZP can be enhanced by grain-boundary activation, and the bioactive Y-TZP is expected to be a potential candidate for use as a dental implant material.

Development of novel silk fibroin/polyvinyl alcohol/sol–gel bioactive glass composite matrix by modified layer by layer electrospinning method for bone tissue construct generation

The worldwide occurrence of bone tissue related defects as well as diseases and lack of successful perpetual cure has attracted attention and accelerated exploration of composite scaffolding material with superior bioactivity, osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity properties. Among such biomaterials, silk fibroin and bioglass composite attained special emphasis to develop tissue engineered construct with a hierarchical structure ranging from nano to microscale thereby mimicking bone tissue extracellular matrix. In the present study, a bilayer deposition of natural biopolymer (silk fibroin) and synthetic polymer (polyvinyl alcohol) solution with 58s bioactive glass sol was done by free liquid surface electrospinning and further stabilized through ethanol washing to fabricate novel nanofibrous composite scaffold. The fabricated composite scaffold possesses superior stiffness, hydrophilicity, bioactivity and superior osteogenic potential. The scaffolds were characterized for its fiber diameter distribution, hydrophilicity, tensile strength and apatite forming ability. Field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis demonstrate the apatite like particle formation over the scaffold after treatment with simulated body fluid, which improved osteogenicity of the developed scaffold. The biocompatibility, biomineralization and osteogenic potential of composite scaffold were evaluated by cell culture study using cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells, proving that the developed composite scaffold is biocompatible and possess excellent osteogenic potential for neo bone tissue regeneration. Thus, the developed nanobiocomposite scaffold has been proven to be potential for developing bone tissue grafts for future clinical applications.

Facile production of porous bioactive glass scaffolds by the foam replica technique combined with sol–gel/electrophoretic deposition

3D porous bioactive glass (BG) scaffolds were fabricated by the foam replication technique combining sol–gel and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) processes. A special EPD set-up was built to optimize the scaffolds fabrication, which results in the rapid production of BG-based scaffolds in comparison to the traditional time-consuming foam replication technique normally used for the same kind of BG scaffolds. The influences of parameters related to the BG sol (aging time) as well as to the electrically driven process (deposition voltage) were studied and discussed in terms of the final scaffolds microstructure. Bioactivity of the samples, in terms of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) formation in simulated body fluid (SBF), was determined after 1 day of immersion in SBF, confirming the suitability of the new scaffolds for bone regeneration applications.

Micro-structural evolution and biomineralization behavior of carbon nanofiber/bioactive glass composites induced by precursor aging time

Bioactive glass (BG)—containing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are promising orthopaedic biomaterials. Herein, CNF composites were produced from electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/BG sol–gel precursor solution, followed by carbonization. Choosing 58S-type BG (mol%: 58.0% SiO2-26.3% CaO-15.7% P2O5) as the model, micro-structural evolution of CNF/BG composites was systematically evaluated in relating to aging times of BG precursor solution. With aging time prolonging, BG precursors underwent morphological changes from small sol clusters with loosely and randomly branched structure to highly crosslinked Si-network structure, showing continuous increase in solution viscosity. BG precursor solution with low viscosity could mix well with PAN solution, resulting in CNF composite with homogeneously distributed BG component. Whereas, BG precursor gel with densely crosslinked Si-network structure led to uneven distribution of BG component along final CNFs due to its significant phase separation from PAN component. Meanwhile, BG nanoparticles in CNFs demonstrated micro-structural evolution that they transited from weak to strong crystal state along with longer aging time. Biomineralization in simulated body fluid and in vitro osteoblasts proliferation were then applied to determine the bioactivity of CNF/BG composites. CNF/BG composites prepared from shorter aging time could induce both faster apatite deposition and cell proliferation rate. It was suggested weakly crystallized BG nanoparticles along CNFs dissolved fast and was able to provide numerous nucleation sites for apatite deposition, which also favored the proliferation of osteoblasts cells. Aging time could thus be a useful tool to regulate the biological features of CNF/BG composites.

Crack-free polydimethylsiloxane–bioactive glass–poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid monoliths with controlled biomineralization activity and mechanical property for bone tissue regeneration

Crack-free organic–inorganic hybrid monoliths with controlled biomineralization activity and mechanical property have an important role for highly efficient bone tissue regeneration. Here, biomimetic and crack-free polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–modified bioactive glass (BG)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (PDMS–BG–PEG) hybrids monoliths were prepared by a facile sol–gel technique. Results indicate that under the assist of co-solvents, BG sol and PDMS and PEG could be hybridized at a molecular level, and effects of the PEG molecular weight on the structure, biomineralization activity, and mechanical property of the as-prepared hybrid monoliths were also investigated in detail. It is found that an addition of low molecular weight PEG can significantly prevent the formation of cracks and speed up the gelation of the hybrid monoliths, and the surface microstructure of the hybrid monoliths can be changed from the porous to the smooth as the PEG molecular weight increases. Additionally, the hybrid monoliths with low molecular weight PEG show the high formation of the biological apatite layer, while the hybrids with high molecular weight PEG exhibit negligible biomineralization ability in simulated body fluid (SBF). Furthermore, the PDMS–BG–PEG 600 hybrid monolith has significantly high compressive strength (32±3MPa) and modulus (153±11MPa), as well as good cell biocompatibility by supporting osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) attachment and proliferation. These results indicate that the as-prepared PDMS–BG–PEG hybrid monoliths may have promising applications for bone tissue regeneration.

Preparation, in vitro mineralization and osteoblast cell response of electrospun 13-93 bioactive glass nanofibers.

In this study, silicate based 13-93 bioactive glass fibers were prepared through sol-gel processing and electrospinning technique. A precursor solution containing poly (vinyl alcohol) and bioactive glass sol was used to produce fibers. The mixture was electrospun at a voltage of 20 kV by maintaining tip to a collector distance of 10 cm. The amorphous glass fibers with an average diameter of 464±95 nm were successfully obtained after calcination at 625 °C. Hydroxyapatite formation on calcined 13-93 fibers was investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF) using two different fiber concentrations (0.5 and 1 mg/ml) at 37 °C. When immersed in SBF, conversion to a calcium phosphate material showed a strong dependence on the fiber concentration. At 1mg/ml, the surface of the fibers converted to the hydroxyapatite-like material in SBF only after 30 days. At lower solid concentrations (0.5 mg/ml), an amorphous calcium phosphate layer formation was observed followed by the conversion to hydroxyapatite phase after 7 days of immersion. The XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) assay was conducted to evaluate the osteoblast cell response to the bioactive glass fibers.

Preparation and in vitro characterization of electrospun 45S5 bioactive glass nanofibers

Bioactive glasses are widely used in biomedical applications due to their ability to bond to bone and even to soft tissues. In this study, 45S5 bioactive glass fibers were prepared through sol–gel processing and electrospinning technique. A precursor solution containing poly vinyl alcohol and bioactive glass sol was used to produce fibers. The mixture was electrospun at a voltage of 20kV by maintaining tip to a collector distance of 8cm. The fibers with an average diameter of 337±81nm (before calcination) were successfully obtained. Results showed that the crystalline phase of the fibers was largely influenced by the calcination temperature. Hydroxyapatite formation on calcined 45S5 fibers was investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF) using different fiber/SBF (F/S) ratios (0.5, 1, 2 and 10mg/ml) at 37°C. When immersed in SBF, conversion to a calcium phosphate material showed a strong dependence on the F/S ratio. At high solid concentration (10mg/ml), surface of the fibers could not be converted to the HA-like material in SBF after 30 days. At lower solid concentrations (2, 1 and 0.5mg/ml) an amorphous calcium phosphate layer formation was observed followed by the conversion to hydroxyapatite.

Increasing the Potential of Bioactive Glass as a Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

AbstractBioactive glass is known for its potential as a bone scaffold due to its ability to stimulate osteogenesis and differentiation of stem cells into bone cells. In an attempt to investigate if we can increase these potentials, we decorated the structure of the bioactive glass made by the sol-gel technique with 3 peptides sequences from different proteins known for their potentials to stimulate the osteogensis process (fibronectin, BMP-2 and protein kinase CKI). This material was tested with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) and MC-3T3 preosteoblasts to see the difference in the effect on uncommitted and committed cells. The bioactive glass sol with and without the peptides was dip coated onto glass cover slips, leading to a film of the material, surface decorated with the peptides of choice. The two cell types were seeded onto the materials in standard proliferation medium without additives for differentiation induction. Cells were also grown on tissue culture treated cover slips with and without differentiation induction media as positive and negative controls, respectively. The cells were grown on the materials for a total of five weeks, and were tested at four time points (weekly from week two) by immunocytochemical assays to investigate the levels of different osteogenic markers (osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin) and by qRT-PCR to investigate the mRNA potential of the same proteins. On the native bioactive glass samples, the hMSCs and the MC-3T3s adhered poorly. On peptide-decorated samples, the hMSC adhered poorly, however, the MC-3T3 cells appear to differentiate at a rate that is equal to or faster than the positive control, indicating that the peptide effect is similar to that achieved by traditional BMP-2 soluble protein techniques. This supports our hypothesis that adding specific peptide sequences known for their effects in cells adhesion, proliferation and differentiation can increase the potential of the bioactive glass as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The data, however, leads to some questions regarding the MC-3T3 cell model for use in further studies.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone modified bioactive glass fibers as tissue constructs: in vitro mesenchymal stem cell response.

The sol-gel synthesis of a bioactive glass (BAG) sol with the incorporation of polyvinylpyrrolidone and the subsequent spraying of short, discontinuous fibers is reported. The incorporation of the polymer into the BAG sol allowed for increased control of the rheological properties and resulted in a more homogeneous fibrous material when sprayed through an air gun. Reaction kinetics and sol viscosity were monitored and analyzed during synthesis, and fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. Fibers were sintered at 900 degrees C and were examined for in vitro bioactivity in a simulated body fluid solution. The presence of hydroxyapatite crystals is confirmed by examination with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Both the proliferation rate and cell density of rat mesenchymal stem cells cultured on BAG fiber constructs of varying porosities were shown to be dependent upon fiber spacing.