Bioactive glasses: Importance of structure and properties in bone regeneration

• We have looked at applications and physiological function of Bioglass.
• We have looked at Raman vibrational modes of biological significance.
• Reviewed research pertaining to analysis of osteostimulation effects of bioactive glasses using bio-Raman spectroscopy.

This review provides a brief background on the applications, mechanisms and genetics involved with use of bioactive glass to stimulate regeneration of bone. The emphasis is on the role of structural changes of the bioactive glasses, in particular Bioglass, which result in controlled release of osteostimulative ions. The review also summarizes the use of Raman spectroscopy, referred to hereto forward as bio-Raman spectroscopy, to obtain rapid, real time in vitro analysis of human cells in contact with bioactive glasses, and the osteostimulative dissolution ions that lead to osteogenesis. The bio-Raman studies support the results obtained from in vivo studies of bioactive glasses, as well as extensive cell and molecular biology studies, and thus offers an innovative means for rapid screening of new bioactive materials while reducing the need for animal testing.

The Raman ‘fingerprint region’, 500–1800 cm−1, is the region of the Raman spectrum which correlates to the molecular vibrations of the majority of the biochemical components of importance, which can be detected by Raman spectroscopy. Sequence of interfacial reactions between bone and a Class A bioactive glass or glass-ceramic.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide