Effect of Alumina Incorporation on the Surface Mineralization and Degradation of a Bioactive Glass (CaO-MgO-SiO₂-Na₂O-P₂O₅-CaF₂)-Glycerol Paste

Enhanced remineralisation ability and antibacterial properties of sol-gel glass ionomer cement modified by fluoride containing strontium-based bioactive glass or strontium-containing fluorapatite

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare two types of bioactive additives which were strontium-containing fluorinated bioactive glass (SrBGF) or strontium-containing fluorapatite (SrFA) added to sol-gel derived glass ionomer cement (SGIC). The objective was to develop antibacterial and mineralisation properties, using bioactive additives, to minimize the occurrence of caries lesions in caries disease.

METHODS

Synthesized SrBGF and SrFA nanoparticles were added to SGIC at 1 wt% concentration to improve antibacterial properties against S. mutans, promote remineralisation, and hASCs and hDPSCs viability. Surface roughness and ion-releasing behavior were also evaluated to clarify the effect on the materials. Antibacterial activity was measured via agar disc diffusion and bacterial adhesion. Remineralisation ability was assessed by applying the material to demineralised teeth and subjecting them to a 14-day pH cycle, followed by microCT and SEM-EDS analysis.

RESULTS

The addition of SrFA into SGIC significantly improved its antibacterial property. SGIC modified with either SrBGF or SrFA additives could similarly induce apatite crystal precipitation onto demineralised dentin and increase dentin density, indicating its ability to remineralise dentin. Moreover, this study also showed that SGIC modified with SrBGF or SrFA additives had promising results on the in vitro cytotoxicity of hASC and hDPSC.

SIGNIFICANT

SrFA has superior antibacterial property as compared to SrBGF while demonstrating equal remineralisation ability. Furthermore, the modified SGIC showed promising results in reducing the cytotoxicity of hASCs and hDPSCs, indicating its potential for managing caries.

Evaluation of biocomposite putty with strontium and zinc co-doped 45S5 bioactive glass and sodium hyaluronate

The application of powder or granule formed bioactive glasses in the defect area with the help of a liquid carrier to fill the defects is a subject of interest and is still open to development. In this study, it was aimed to prepare biocomposites of bioactive glasses incorporating different co-dopants with a carrier biopolymer and to create a fluidic material (Sr and Zn co-doped 45S5 bioactive glasses‑sodium hyaluronate). All biocomposite samples were pseudoplastic fluid type, which may be suitable for defect filling and had excellent bioactivity behaviors confirmed by FTIR, SEM-EDS and XRD. Biocomposites with Sr and Zn co-doped bioactive glass had higher bioactivity considering the crystallinity of hydroxyapatite formations compared to biocomposite with undoped bioactive glasses. Biocomposites with high bioactive glass content had hydroxyapatite formations with higher crystallinity compared to biocomposites with low bioactive glass. Furthermore, all biocomposite samples showed non-cytotoxic effect on the L929 cells up to a certain concentration. However, biocomposites with undoped bioactive glass showed cytotoxic effects at lower concentrations compared to biocomposites with co-doped bioactive glass. Thus, biocomposite putties utilizing Sr and Zn co-doped bioactive glasses may be advantageous for orthopedic applications due to their specified rheological, bioactivity, and biocompatibility properties.

Superior biocompatibility and comparable osteoinductive properties: Sodium-reduced fluoride-containing bioactive glass belonging to the CaO-MgO-SiO2 system as a promising alternative to 45S5 bioactive glass

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising bone substitute materials. However, under certain circumstances BGs such as the well-known 45S5 Bioglass® (composition in wt%: 45.0 SiO₂, 24.5 Na₂O, 24.5 CaO, 6.0 P₂O₅) act cytotoxic due to a strong increase in pH caused by a burst release of sodium ions. A potential alternative is a sodium-reduced fluoride-containing BG belonging to the CaO–MgO–SiO₂ system, namely BG1d-BG (composition in wt%: 46.1 SiO₂, 28.7 CaO, 8.8 MgO, 6.2 P₂O₅, 5.7 CaF₂, 4.5 Na₂O), that has already been evaluated in-vitro, in-vivo and in preliminary clinical trials. Before further application, however, BG1d-BG should be compared to the benchmark amongst BGs, the 45S5 Bioglass® composition, to classify its effect on cell viability, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Therefore, in this study, the biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of both BGs were investigated in an indirect and direct culture setting to assess the effect of the ionic dissolution products and the BGs’ physical presence on the cells. The results indicated an advantage of BG1d-BG over 45S5 Bioglass® regarding cell viability and proliferation. Both BGs induced an earlier onset of osteogenic differentiation and accelerated the expression of late osteoblast marker genes compared to the control group. In conclusion, BG1d-BG is an attractive candidate for further experimental investigation. The basic mechanisms behind the different impact on cell behavior should be assessed in further detail, e.g. by further alteration of the BG compositions.

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45S5 Bioglass® is considered to be the benchmark amongst bioactive glasses (BGs).

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Sodium-reduced fluoride-containing BG1d BG was compared to 45S5-Bioglass®.

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Both BGs induced osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs.

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BG1d had an advantageous impact on cell viability and proliferation.

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BG1d-BG is an attractive candidate for further experimental investigation.

Calcium carbonate: Adored and ignored in bioactivity assessment

The title of this article could sound a bit curious to some readers since a layer of apatite - and not calcium carbonate - is well-known to form on the surface of bioactive glasses upon immersion in simulated body fluids. However, calcium carbonate (commonly reported as calcite crystals) can form on the surface of bioactive glasses as well, instead of or in competition with hydroxyapatite, during in vitro tests. Major factors that govern calcium carbonate formation are a high concentration of Ca²⁺ ions in the testing solution - and, in this regard, glass composition/texture and type of medium play key roles - along with the volume of solution used during in vitro tests. To date, this phenomenon has received relatively little attention and is still partly unexplored. This article provides a critical overview of the available literature on this topic in order to stimulate constructive discussion among biomaterials scientists and further research for better understanding the mechanisms involved in glass bioactivity. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A literature search indicates that a layer of apatite - and not calcium carbonate - is well known to form on the surface of biomaterials during the bioactivity assessment. However, calcium carbonate can form on the surface as well, instead of or in competition with apatite. To date, this phenomenon has received relatively little attention and is still partly unexplored. This review provides a critical overview of the available literature on this topic in order to stimulate constructive discussions that can be further useful for clinical success.

Selective Contribution of Bioactive Glasses to Molecular and Cellular Pathways

Over the past few decades, biomedical scientists and surgeons have given substantial attention to bioactive glasses as promising, long-lasting biomaterials that can make chemical connections with the neighboring hard and soft tissues. Several studies have examined the cellular and molecular responses to bioactive glasses to determine if they are suitable biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this regard, different ions and additives have been used recently to induce specific characteristics for selective cellular and molecular responses. This Review briefly describes foreign-body response mechanisms and the role of adsorbed proteins as the key players in starting interactions between cells and biomaterials. It then explains the physicochemical properties of the most common bioactive glasses, which have a significant impact on their cellular and molecular responses. It is expected that, with the development of novel strategies, the physiochemical properties of bioactive glasses can be engineered to precisely control proteins' adsorption and cellular functions after implantation.