Modulation of zinc release from bioactive sol-gel derived SiO(2)-CaO-ZnO glasses and ceramics.

Zinc is an essential trace element which may be effective in promoting hard tissue healing. Glasses in the SiO(2)-CaO-ZnO system were synthesized via sol-gel methods. Using a constant silica content (70 mol %), the ratio of Ca to Zn was varied (1.5, 3.5, or 6.5), as was the stabilization temperature (650, 750, or 850 degrees C), to examine such effects on the bioactive response and zinc release in simulated body fluid (SBF). XRD revealed the development of CaSiO(3) and Ca(2)ZnSi(2)O(7) crystalline phases during stabilization at 850 degrees C only. N(2) adsorption analysis determined that the specific surface area (BET) varied between 14 and 179 m(2)/g and was dependent on composition and stabilization temperature, as was the average initial pore size (51-125 A). The formation of hydroxycarbonate (HCA) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was observed at 14 days for samples stabilized at 650 or 750 degrees C. Only ACP layers were observed on such samples prior to 14 day. Relative to the Ca levels at 14 day (60-485 microg/ml), Zn levels in solution were relatively low (0.06-1.18 microg/ml). EDX and ICP data suggested that released Zn was incorporated into the forming calcium phosphate reaction layer, thereby preventing concentrations of the essential trace element from reaching potentially toxic levels.

Osteoblast responses to tape-cast and sintered bioactive glass ceramics.

The advantage of tape-cast bioactive glasses lies in the manufacturing procedure, which allows the build-up of layers and, therefore, the production of complex shapes. This, therefore, has applications to tissue engineering, where specific shapes are required such as repair of craniofacial defects. The bioactivity of tape-cast discs sintered at temperatures ranging from 800 degrees C to 1000 degrees C and for 3 or 6 h was analyzed by FTIR. Tape-cast discs were used to culture primary human osteoblasts, and cell attachment, cell death, collagen production, nodule formation, and mineralization were studied. These responses were dependent upon Si and Na release profiles of the tape-cast discs, and development of the hydroxyapatite layer.

In vitro bioactivity of S520 glass fibers and initial assessment of osteoblast attachment.

Bioactive glass fibers are attractive materials for use as tissue-engineering scaffolds and as the reinforcing phase for resorbable bioactive composites. The bioactivity of S520 glass fibers (52.0 mol % SiO(2), 20.9 Na(2)O, 7.1 K(2)O, 18.0 CaO, and 2.0 P(2)O(5)) was evaluated in two media, simulated body fluid (SBF) and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), for up to 20 days at 37 degrees C. Hydroxyapatite formation was observed on S520 fiber surfaces after 5 h in SBF. After a 20-day immersion, a continuous hydroxyapatite layer was present on the surface of samples immersed in SBF as well as on those samples immersed in DMEM [fiber surface area to solution volume ratio (SA:V) of 0.10 cm(2)/mL]. Backscattered electron imaging and EDS analysis revealed that the hydroxyapatite layer formation was more extensive for samples immersed in SBF. Decreasing the SA:V ratio to 0.05 cm(2)/mL decreased the time required to form a continuous hydroxyapatite surface layer. ICP was used to reveal Si, Ca, and P release profiles in DMEM after the 1st h (15.1, 83.8, and 29.7 ppm, respectively) were similar to those concentrations previously determined to stimulate gene expression in osteoblasts in vitro (16.5, 83.3, and 30.4 ppm, respectively). The tensile strength of the 20-microm diameter fibers was 925 +/- 424 MPa. Primary human osteoblast attachment to the fiber surface was studied by using SEM, and mineralization was studied by using alizarin red staining. Osteoblast dorsal ruffles, cell projections, and lamellipodia were observed, and by 7 days, cells had proliferated to form monolayer areas as shown by SEM. At 14 days, nodule formation was observed, and these nodules stained positive for alizarin red, demonstrating Ca deposition and, therefore mineralization.

Sintering temperature effects on the in vitro bioactive response of tape cast and sintered bioactive glass-ceramic in Tris buffer.

Tape casting procedures were used to form thin polymeric sheets (100 microm thickness) loaded with bioactive glass particulate. Blanks were punched from the sheets, stacked, laminated, and heated in air to 500 degrees C to remove the organic phase. The resulting bioactive glass discs were sintered at 800 degrees C, 900 degrees C, or 1000 degrees C. Because the material is built up in layers and can be machined in the green state, such a processing technique can be used to form complex-shaped materials. The in vitro bioactivity of the tape cast sintered (TCS) bioactive glass-ceramic discs was then assessed in Tris buffer. The sample surface area to volume buffer (SA/V) ratio was approximately 0.1 cm(2)/mL. Tape cast bioactive glass-ceramic sintered at 900 degrees C and 1000 degrees C formed crystalline hydroxyapatite layers after 24 h in Tris buffer as indicated by FTIR, SEM, and EDS analysis. Decreasing the SA/V ratio to 0.013 cm(2)/mL allowed for the formation of crystalline hydroxyapatite layers on the surface of 800C TCS bioactive glass-ceramic. Given the dependence of the bioactive response as a function of the processing schedule and SA/V ratio, it may be possible to tailor the response to that desired in vivo or in vitro for tissue engineering studies. Biaxial flexural strength of TCS bioactive glass-ceramic increased with increasing sintering temperature. Strength of samples sintered at 1000 degrees C for 3 h increased from 87 to 120 MPa after 2 weeks' immersion in Tris buffer.

Bioactive response of Ag-doped tape cast Bioglass 45S5 following heat treatment.

The suitability of Bioglass 45S5 to the tape casting process and the ability of the glass to retain in vitro bioactivity following heat treatment to increase strength has been established. In this research, tape cast Bioglass was doped with silver prior to heat treatment in an effort to impart antimicrobial properties. The effect of initial dopant concentration and processing temperature was investigated. FTIR confirmed the presence of well established hydroxyapatite (HA) surface layers on Ag-doped tape cast Bioglass following heat treatment and simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion. Solution analysis revealed the release of silver ion in concentrations similar to those reported in the literature to have antimicrobial effects. Additionally, mercury porosimetry was used to determine that silver enhanced the densification process relative to that of undoped tape cast Bioglass. Ag-doped tape cast and sintered Bioglass (TCSBG) appears promising for use in situations requiring rapid surface HA formation and antimicrobial properties.