Absorbability of bulk sol-gel bioactive glasses

Melt-derived bioactive glasses have been used with success in various clinical applications for over 10 years. Recently, particles of sol-gel derived bioactive glasses with an initial high specific area have exhibited high osteoconductive properties, but also a significant degradability. In this work, we explored the in-vivo bioactivity and degradability of bulk sol-gel derived glasses. Two sol-gel compositions (58S and 77S Bioglass) were used. Bulk 45S5 were used as a control. Both sol-gel derived demonstrated similar osteoconductive properties to 45S% Bioglass. In addition, absorbability was observed for sol-gel derived glasses after 12 weeks of implantation. Total absorption reached 40% after 52 weeks. No degradation could be measured in the case of 45S5 melt derived Bioglass. The degradation process was highly time dependent as demonstrated by regression analysis. New bone formation was found to fill in areas that had been resorbed similar to bone remodeling. New bone was found to fill in areas that had been absorbed, similar to natural bone remodeling. This absorbability can be assumed to be at least partially related to an osteoclastic resorption, as viable osteoclasts-like cells were found directly in contact with the glass surfaces.