Combining Mg-Zn-Ca Bulk Metallic Glass with Nanocomposite of Mesoporous Silica for Bone Tissue Engineering

Aims: To demonstrate the osteogenesis in bone healing through the stimulation by degradation product from Mg-Zn-Ca BMG, and OGP released from ex-MSN to attain to bone regeneration.

Results: In vitro study showed that the released metal ions from degradation of Mg-Zn-Ca BMG could promote the cell proliferation and elevate the cells’ migration ability as well as the ALP activity and mineralization. Despite the planned MSN (without OGP) showed little inhibition in cell migration and mineralization, superior results were obtained while treating cells simultaneously with the extracted-MEM and OGP-loaded ex-MSN. This result was contributed by the OGP via enhancing the focal adhesion turnover and promoting the differentiation. Hematological analysis also confirmed the biocompatibility of this BMG/nanocomposite system. In addition, in vivo micro-CT and histological observation revealed that our system could stimulate the osteogenesis and new bone formation around the implant site.

Conclusions: We have integrated Mg-based BMG materials with OGP conjugated ex-MSN to benefit the bone regeneration in both of the in vitro and vivo study. Thus, our system may have a potential to be applied on bone tissue engineering.