Bioactive borosilicate glass scaffolds: in vitro degradation and bioactivity behaviors

Bioactive borosilicate glass scaffolds with the pores of several hundred micrometers and a competent compressive strength were prepared through replication method. The in vitro degradation and bioactivity behaviors of the scaffolds have been investigated by immersing the scaffolds statically in diluted phosphate solution at 37 degrees C, up to 360 h. To monitor the degradation progress of the scaffolds, the amount of leaching elements from the scaffolds were determined by ICP-AES. The XRD and SEM results reveal that, during the degradation of scaffolds, the borosilicate scaffolds converted to hydroxyapatite. The compressive strength of the scaffolds decreased during degradation, in the way that can be well predicted by the degradation products, or the leachates, from the scaffolds. MTT assay results demonstrate that the degradation products have little, if any, inhibition effect on the cell proliferation, when diluted to a certain concentration ([B] <2.690 and pH value at neutral level). The study shows that borosilicate glass scaffold could be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering material.