Osteoblast nodule formation and mineralisation on foamed 58S bioactive glass

In this study we analysed human osteoblast responses to a porous bioactive glass scaffold. Attachment, spreading and formation of mineralised nodules in response to culture on the bioactive glass were analysed. Dissolution products are a key feature of bioactive glasses and these were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy to determine effects of both the glass surface and ion release. Osteoblasts attached and proliferated on the foams as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Nodule formation was also observed in the pores of the glass and also in conditioned medium containing dissolution products at certain concentrations and these nodules were shown to be mineralised by alizarin red staining.