Improving the osteogenesis and degradability of biomimetic hybrid materials using a combination of bioglass and collagen I

As an inorganic bone graft, the traditional bioglass 45S5 can offer good bioactivity for osteogenesis. Type I collagen (Col-1) can mimic the organic components of natural bone in hybrid materials. Hence, in this study, biomimetic hybrid materials [CBGM (Collagen Bioactive Glass Morsels), CBGM1, CBGS (Collagen Bioactive Glass Strips) and CBGS1] were fabricated using 45S5 granules and high purity Col-1 at a proportion of 8.5:1.5. The surface features of these materials were observed using scanning electron microscopy and element energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS). The activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, including adhesion, proliferation and gene expression, was significantly improved in the CBGS and CBGS1 groups compared with the 45S5 group. Additionally, X-ray, micro computed tomography, EDS and histomorphology showed that these hybrid materials had significantly enhanced osteogenesis and degradation 6 and 12 weeks after implantation in rabbit femoral condylar defects compared with 45S5. CBGS and CBGS1 were significantly better than CBGM and CBGM1 in terms of osteogenesis and degradability. Consequently, with the improved osteogenesis and the faster degradation rate, the hybrid materials CBGS and CBGS1 are promising bone graft candidates for clinical application. Keywords: Hybrid materials, Bioglass, Collagen I, Osteogenesis, Degradability