title: Silicon: the evolution of its use in biomaterials.
abstract: In the 1970s, several studies revealed the requirement for silicon in bone development, while bioactive silicate glasses simultaneously pioneered the current era of bioactive materials. Considerable research has subsequently focused on the chemistry and biological function of silicon in bone, demonstrating that the element has at least two separate effects in the extracellular matrix: (i) interacting with glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans during their synthesis, and (ii) forming ionic substitutions in the crystal lattice structure of hydroxyapatite. In addition, the dissolution products of bioactive glass (predominantly silicic acids) have significant effects on the molecular biology of osteoblasts in vitro, regulating the expression of several genes including key osteoblastic markers, cell cycle regulators and extracellular matrix proteins. Researchers have sought to capitalize on these effects and have generated a diverse array of biomaterials, which include bioactive glasses, silicon-substituted hydroxyapatites and pure, porosified silicon, but all these materials share similarities in the mechanisms that result in their bioactivity. This review discusses the current data obtained from original research in biochemistry and biomaterials science supporting the role of silicon in bone, comparing both the biological function of the element and analysing the evolution of silicon-containing biomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK. Electronic address: j.r.henstock@keele.ac.uk.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Henstock
authors.affiliation: pSiMedica Ltd, Malvern Hills Science Park, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3SZ, UK.
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Canham
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Division of Medical Science and Graduate Entry Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016062:Porosity; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D012825:Silicon
keywords: Biomaterial; Biomaterials; Orthosilicic acid; Silicic acid; Silicon