Abstract
Since bioactive glass has been known as a biomaterial that can bind directly with bone by forming a calcium-phosphate and silica-rich layer on its surface, it is necessary to ascertain the mechanism and biological characteristics involved in the surface layer of bioactive glass.Thus, to approach this matter, the author investigated the surface layer of bioactive glassin vivoby implanting them into the abdominal cavities of mice for 21 days, and compared them to other experimental materials such as hydroxyapatite and titanium.The bioactive glass surface layer was confirmed by an energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and the effect of these biomaterials on immunocytes were also evaluated.
Results showed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced3H-thymidine uptake by spleen cells and nitric oxide (NO) production by mice peritoneal macrophages to be reduced by the intact bioactive glass, and LPS-induced interleukin 1α(IL-1α) production by human peripheral mononuclear cells to be enhanced.However, after formation of a surface layer on the bioactive glass, hardly any effect in terms of LPS-induced 3H-thymidine uptake, production of NO, and IL-1α.was observed, as well as with the other biomaterials.
Studies suggest that the surface layer of bioactive glass formed in vivo had very little effect on immunocytes, and that these results were similar to hydroxyapatite and titanium which are consid ered to be biocompatible.
