HUMAN OSTEOBLAST-LIKE CELLS (MG63) PROLIFERATE ON A BIOACTIVE GLASS-SURFACE

Bioglass(R), a resorbable glass, previously has been evaluated as a bo ne graft substitute using cells of animal origin. Limited information is available on its effect on human cells. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that Bioglass(R) supports viability and pr oliferation of human bone cells. As a prototype of human bone cells, t he osteoblast cell line MG63 was used and propagated on Bioglass(R) di sks. MG63 cells also were seeded onto disks made of titanium (Ti-6Al-4 V) and of cobalt chrome (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys. The number of viable cells recovered was similar for Bioglass(R), titanium, and polystyrene contr ol surfaces. Significantly fewer cells were recovered from CoCr (P < 0 .05) compared to Bioglass(R), Ti-6 Al-4v, and polystyrene surfaces. Th e proportion of cells undergoing DNA synthesis, estimated by thymidine uptake, was significantly greater on Bioglass(R) and titanium surface s (P < 0.05) than on the CoCr surface. There were detectable differenc es in cell morphology on these biomaterials. Functional capacity was t ested by assay of osteocalcin production and no differences were detec table among the different biomaterials. This study supports the hypoth esis that 45S5 Bioglass(R) provides a favorable environment for human osteoblast proliferation and function. Bioglass(R) may have clinical p otential as a bone graft substitute, a bioactive grout, or an implant coating for promoting bony ingrowth in uncemented prostheses. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.