Development of Zn/Ce containing bioactive glasses for bone regeneration applications

The impact of either Zn or Ce substituted with Ca in bioactive glasses based on the 45SiO₂ - 6P₂O₅ - 11SrO - (38-(x + y) CaO) - xZnO or yCe₂O₃ (xZn-yCeBGs) system on bone regeneration has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to develop new formulations of sol-gel-derived bioactive glass to use as a synthetic bone graft. xZn-yCeBGs were synthesized through the sol-gel process with 0.01 M nitric acid catalyst. xZn-yCeBG formation was investigated using SEM and FTIR. The bioactivity of xZn-yCeBGs was evaluated using SEM, EDX-SEM, and XRD. Cell viability and ability to form mineralization of MC3T3-E1 treated with xZn-yCeBGs were detected using MTT assay and Alizarin Red S staining, respectively. xZn-yCeBGs were successfully prepared. Zn or Ce substituted with Ca in BGs stimulated bioactivity through apatite formation, enhanced bone mineralization, and were not toxic to the bone cells. Moreover, these particles had an antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) via the disc diffusion method. Therefore, xZn-yCeBGs are a promising unique biomaterial with a potential future role as bone graft substitutes.