Unveiling the Potential of Bioactive Glass in Volumetric Muscle Loss Regeneration

Injuries characterized by significant loss of skeletal muscle tissue volume, known as volumetric muscle loss (VML), lead to substantial impairment in functional capabilities. Natural repair processes and existing medical interventions fall short of fully restoring function post-VML. Despite progress in the VML field, there is an unsatisfactory success rate, donor site morbidity, and inefficient reconstruction of lost muscle tissue. This leads to persistent strength and functional deficits, impacting the quality of life for VML patients. In recent years, studies have explored the potential of bioactive glasses (BGs) as crucial materials in regenerating tissues beyond the skeletal system. BG, used mainly in bone engineering, can aid muscle repair by releasing ions like calcium and phosphate to stimulate cellular response. However, current BG composites struggle to match the mechanical properties of soft tissues, limiting seamless healing. This review summarizes recent advances in various BG structures studied for skeletal muscle tissue regeneration.