Cytocompatibility, gene-expression profiling, apoptotic, mechanical and (29)Si, (31)P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance studies following treatment with a bioglass-chitosan composite.

The performance therapy of chitosan (CH)-doped bioactive glass (BG) has been evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the effect of CH-BG was assessed on human Saos-2 osteoblast cells. In vivo, Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and CH, BG and CH-BG were implanted in bone tissue. After 3 days of CH-BG contact, cell viability of Saos-2 osteoblast increased by 16.4% as compared to the control group. The runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2/Cbfa1) and osteocalcin (OC) gene expressions were significantly increased with 600 and 300%, respectively, in contact of CH-BG as compared with CH. In vivo, the apoptotic index in the OVX-CH-BG group was decreased by 80%. A mechanical hardness test showed a significant bone strength improvement after CH-BG implantation (40%). The CH-BG composite may therefore prove clinically useful as a bioactive bone substitute.