Calcium aluminate cement blended to bioactive glass and strontium: in vitro and in vivo evaluation studies

Abstract

PurposeHomogeneous calcium aluminate cement–based (CH) materials hold potential as biomaterials, while bioactive glass (BG-58S) is a promising bone regeneration material with excellent bioactivity. Strontium, known for stimulating bone tissue regeneration, was incorporated into CH-BG-58S blends to enhance bioactivity, osteogenesis, and bone tissue repair.MethodsBlends with only BG-58S were evaluated for viscosity, injectability, and workability. In vitro tests were performed using MG63 cells and in vivo tests utilized blends CH-7.5BG-58S and CH-7.5BG-58S/Sr to fill monocortical critical bone defects. Bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was also evaluated. The addition of BG to CH increased viscosity, decreased injectability, and improved workability.ResultsAll blends were non-cytotoxic, and CH-7.5BG-58S and CH-10BG-58S blends exhibited bactericidal capacity against E. coli. Osteogenic activity, confirmed by mineralization nodule formation, was observed in all blends. Histomorphometric and histological analyses revealed bone neoformation, with emphasis on SrO-containing groups, but without statistical significance among groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionThis research highlights the potential of CH-BG-58S blends, particularly those with strontium, as bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering.