Bioactive Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Composites Prompt a Crystallographic Lophelia Atoll-Like Skeletal Microarchitecture Actuating Periosteal Cambium

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2021 Jul 14;13(27):32226-32241. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c07950. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

Abstract

The touchstone for bone replacing or anchoring trauma implants, besides resorption, includes functional ankylosis at a fixation point and replacement by viable functional neo-bone tissues. These parameters redefined the concept of "resorbability" as "bioresorbability." Interference screws are the most commonly used resorbable anchoring implants for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (surgery). Over the years, the bioresorbable screw fixation armamentarium has amplified countless choices, but instability and postimplantation complications have raised concerns about its reliability and efficacy. Owing to this interest, in this work, bioactive glass fiber-reinforced plastic (BGFP) composites with (BGFPnb5) and without (BGFP5) niobicoxide composing multiplexed network modifiers are reported as bioresorbable bone-anchoring substitutes. These synergistically designed composites have a fabricated structure of continuous, unidirectional BG fibers reinforced in an epoxy resin matrix using "melt-drawing and microfabrication" technology. The BGFP microarchitecture is comprised of multiplexed oxide components that influence bioactive response in a distinctive lophelia atoll-like apatite formation. Furthermore, it assists in the proliferation, adherence, and migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. It also exhibits superior physicochemical characteristics such as surface roughness, hydrophilic exposure, distinctive flexural strength, and bioresorption. Thus, it induces restorative bone osseointegration and osteoconduction and actuates periosteum function. In addition, the BGFP influences the reduction of DH5-α Escherichia coli in suspension culture, demonstrating potential antibacterial efficacy. In conclusion, the BGFP composite therapeutic efficacy demonstrates distinctive material characteristics aiding in bone regeneration and restoration that could serve as a pioneer in orthopedic regenerative medicine.

Keywords: bioactive glass; composites; fiber-reinforced plastic; interference screws; multiplexed network modifier oxides; periosteal cambium.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects
  • Bone Substitutes / chemistry*
  • Bone Substitutes / pharmacology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Glass / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Osseointegration / drug effects
  • Periosteum / drug effects*
  • Periosteum / physiology
  • Plastics / chemistry*
  • Prostheses and Implants

Substances

  • Bone Substitutes
  • Plastics
  • fiberglass