J. Huang et al., EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO BIOACTIVITY AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF BIOGLASS(R)-REINFORCED POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE, Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 8(12), 1997, pp. 809-813
The bioactivity and biocompatibility of Bioglass(R)-reinforced high-de
nsity polyethylene composite (Bioglass(R)/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 (HC
A) layer on the composite surface after immersion in SBF was demonstra
ted by thin-film X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning
electron microscopy, indicating the in vitro bioactivity of Bioglass(
R)/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 bioactivit
y could be obtained in a composite. Furthermore, the composite was bio
compatible to primary human osteoblast-like cells. In comparison with
unfilled HDPE and tissue culture plastic control, a significant increa
se in cellular metabolic activity was found on the composite. Therefor
e, Bioglass(R)/HDPE composites have a promising biological response as
a potential implant material.