In vitro biocompatibility of fluorcanasite glass-ceramics for bone tissue repair

Fluorcanasite glass-ceramics were produced by controlled two stage heat-treatment of as-cast glasses. These glasses were modified from stoichiometric fluorcanasite composition by either adding P(2)O(5) or altering the molar ratios of Na(2)O and CaO. Commercial bioactive 45S5 Bioglass(R) was also prepared in-house to evaluate the relative in vitro biocompatibility of fluorcanasite glass-ceramics. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that cells had colonized the surfaces of fluorcanasite glass-ceramics to form a confluent sheet. Quantitative MTT assay results were in good agreement with the qualitative SEM observations. It was concluded that incorporation of excess calcium oxide or P(2)O(5) in stoichiometric glass composition improved in vitro biocompatibility. Controlled heat-treatment further improved the biological response of cultured bone cells to modified fluorcanasite glass-ceramics when compared with their parent glasses. Ion release and pH data suggested a strong correlation between solubility (in particular, Na ion release) and biocompatibility. Reduced solubility, Na ion release, and related pH effects appeared to be the principal mechanisms responsible for improvement in in vitro biocompatibility.