title: Evaluation of in vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility of Bioglass-reinforced polyethylene composite.
abstract: The bioactivity and biocompatibility of Bioglass-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite (Bioglass/HDPE) have been evaluated in simulated body fluid (SBF) and by in vitro cell culture, respectively. The formation of a biologically active hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCA) layer on the composite surface after immersion in SBF was demonstrated by thin-film X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, indicating the in vitro bioactivity of Bioglass/HDPE composites. The HCA layer was formed on the 40 vol% composite surface within 3 days immersion in SBF at a formation rate comparable to those on bioactive glass-ceramics, showing that in vitro bioactivity could be obtained in a composite. Furthermore, the composite was biocompatible to primary human osteoblast-like cells. In comparison with unfilled HDPE and tissue culture plastic control, a significant increase in cellular metabolic activity was found on the composite. Therefore, Bioglass/HDPE composites have a promising biological response as a potential implant material.
authors.affiliation: IRC in Biomedical Materials, Queen Mary and Westfield College, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Silvio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ohtsuki
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bonfield