Better histology and biochemistry for osteoblasts cultured on titanium-doped bioactive glass: bioglass 45S5 compared with iron-, titanium-, fluorine- and boron-containing bioactive glasses.

In the present study we used an established cell culture model to compare Bioglass 45S5 with four other bioactive glasses. Small substitutions or additions of certain ions like iron, titanium, fluorine or boron modified the basic 45S5 glass network. We used several histological and biochemical parameters to interpret the results found in terms of the used model. Regarding 45S5 as a reference, we found that osteoblasts cultured on iron-doped bioactive glass showed a more flattened morphology, and both lower proliferation rate and osteoblast expression. Osteoblasts cultured on titanium-doped glasses also showed a flattened morphology, but higher proliferation and remarkably higher osteoblast expression. On fluorine- and boron-containing glasses the osteoblasts showed a rather compact morphology, a normal proliferation but only moderate osteoblast expression. With microprobe analysis it was shown that the formation of calcium and phosphorus on titanium-doped glass was relatively lower and the release of sodium slower when compared with 45S5. Osteoblasts cultured on titanium-doped bioactive glasses demonstrated superior histological and biochemical parameters when compared with the other glass types. Further research into the physico-chemical properties and the in vivo behaviour of doped bioactive glasses is recommended.